The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed five-star hotels in the Capital to seek permission from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to extract groundwater. The hotels have also been asked to inform the authority about the quantity of water required.
Notification
The directions came while the green panel was hearing a plea that sought directions to five-star hotels, including The Leela Palace, Hotel Taj Palace and others, to seek permission to extract groundwater.
A Bench headed by NGT judicial member Raghuvendra S. Rathore said, “In view of the notification by [the Lieutenant-Governor], discussion of the meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary of Delhi and the clarification submitted before the tribunal by Director [Environment], we consider it appropriate to direct the respondents [the hotels] to approach the competent authority for seeking permission to extract groundwater and submit the quantity required.”
The authorities have been asked to complete the process within one month. The green panel specified that after applications are put forth by the hotels, the CGWA will ascertain whether the quantity of water required by the hotels is permissible.
“A compliance report in the matter be submitted before the tribunal in two months, that is on October 22,” the Bench added.
