1,155 illegal borewells sealed till Aug 31: Delhi govt to NGT

Delhi government today told the National Green tribunal that it has sealed 1,155 illegal borewells, out of 6,305 industrial units surveyed till August 31 in Bawana and Narela Industrial area here.
The Tribunal had on July 18 directed committees comprising Delhi Jal Board, Central Ground Water Authority, government of NCT of Delhi and others to visit and seal the illegal borewells in these industrial areas and file a comprehensive report.
According to the report filed today, 80 teams, consisting of members from Delhi Jal Board (DJB), North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and CGWB, were deployed for conducting the survey and sealing of illegal borewells in the said area.

Apart from the above, seven supervisor officers in the rank of Superintending Engineer and tehsildars have been deployed to monitor the work and to disconnect the borewells. Eight electricians were also deployed.
The status report said DSIIDC has two bulk connections of water from DJB for Bawana and Narela but only 0.112 Million Litres per Day (MLD) of water were made available as against the required demand of 33.85 MLD. It further said if DJB gives them the approved quantity of water as per scheme, then the genuine demand of water can be met for the time being.
"In addition to bulk connections, it is submitted that in order to strike a balance between the environment and the genuine need of water for these industries, DSIIDC should apply for additional community borewells which can be considered and permission given by the committee and water be supplied to Bawana and Narela," the report said.

The Tribunal was hearing the petitions filed by the NGT Bar Association and Raj Hans Bansal who had opposed illegal use of groundwater in Delhi.