National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to intervene in the rising groundwater level in areas of South east Delhi and take immediate action in this regard. The NGT ruling came on the petition filed by the affected residents.
According to the official at Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the NGT delivered the judgement on the issue of groundwater seepage asking the DJB to drain it out in the affected residential areas. “The quality of water is good and it can be used for drinking purpose, the water should be stored in tanks. This water must be sent to places with shortage of drinking water,” states the NGT judgement.
The DJB has taken cognizance in the matter and said that it will notify the affected areas. Officials of the DJB told The Pioneer that since we were waiting for the written communication from the NGT, the board will notify the rain harvesting system in the area.
“We will notify the rain harvest systems there and curb them...with the help of MCD -horticulture division; we will use this ground water for irrigation purposes,” said a DJB official.
In July, residents of Sukhdev Vihar filed a petition in NGT and approached to Delhi Pollution control Committee (DPCC) to sort the problem of ground water seepage.
Due to persistent ground water seepage, residents are still under the threat of building collapse. The Pioneer reported this issue in August after residents of South -East district approached the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) regarding the matter.
Residents had also written to civic agencies to take action. However, none of the civic agency including DJB came forward to sort the matter.