The “enormous” use of groundwater in constructions of residential buildings by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) since 1998 is being attributed to groundwater depletion in Rohini, Kalkaji, Dwarka and Vasant Kunj.
The situation is alarming in these areas as groundwater level has gone down to more than 60 meters, said residents. Groundwater depletion has also resulted in the natural water bodies drying up. According to environmentalists, the city will take the shape of barren land with growth of dying water bodies soon.
As per the sources in Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), in eighty per cent of construction work corporations do not take permission to use groundwater.
Although the agency had taken the permission from the then agency Delhi Water Supply and Sewage of Disposal Undertaking (DWSSDU) with a condition that the DDA shall fulfill residents’ water demand by constructing tube-well and installing motor on their own cost. Now, DWSSDU is known as DJB. However, it has been accused of reneging on its promises.
“The DDA did not install tubewells and motors, hence people have started to surrender their flats built in Dwarka and Rohini area as there is no water supply. Those who shifted to these flats are faced with the perennial water problems. There is no groundwater as the levels are very deep,” said Anil Sood an environmentalist, who also resides in the locality.
DDA officials are not commenting on the issue despite several attempts made by The Pioneer.
As per the recent report of CGWB, in all the districts of Capital, groundwater tab was measured very below in South and Southwest district. Groundwater level in Asola Bhatti range was found at 45.98 meters to 51 meters. Groundwater was found 34.28 and 59.51 meters below the ground surface at Hauz Khas and Pushp Vihar.