The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to submit a comprehensive plan pertaining to groundwater recharge and directed the authorities to take action against the illegal borewells that has adversely affected the groundwater levels in the Capital.
A Bench headed by NGT Acting Chairperson Jawad Rahim said, “It is desirable to direct the NCT Delhi and DJB to place before the tribunal whether they have prepared any project or comprehensive plan for recharge of groundwater.”
“The counsel for Delhi government submits as far as Delhi is concerned, if DJB has prepared any such plan it may be forwarded to them for expeditious approval. Be that as it may, we would require DJB to make a statement in this regard” the Bench added.
Reply sought by May 23
The authorities have been asked to file their reply by May 23.
Earlier, the green panel had directed DJB to provide a list of the illegal borewells that were operating without the requisite permission. The State government was also directed to seal the illegal borewells as unauthorised water extraction was depleting the groundwater levels in the city.
