NGT constitutes panel to check ground water use by builders

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Noting that real estate developers and builders were extracting ground water in violation of its orders, the National Green Tribunal has constituted three committees to conduct surprise inspection at construction sites in Delhi-NCR.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi constituted different teams to carry out "expeditious and effective" inspection of major construction projects in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gurgaon and Faridabad.
"The inspecting teams shall be headed by Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) which shall constitute three teams of one senior officer drawn from each of the respective authority i.E. CGWA, Central Pollution Control Board, state pollution control boards of UP, Delhi and Haryana, Noida Authority, Greater Noida Authority, Haryana Urban Development Authority, Yamuna Expressway Development Authority," the bench said.

During the hearing, the tribunal slammed the authorities for their failure to stop groundwater extraction and issued bailable warrants against "Managing Director/Managing Partner" of Panchsheel Greens-II in Greater Noida West, Kbnows Nirman Limited and Era Infra Engineers Ltd for not appearing despite notices being issued to them.
The tribunal made it clear that the committee has to submit its report on three aspects -- whether there is any mechanism or equipment for extraction of groundwater on the construction sites, what is the source of water for construction and the actual quantum of water required.
"In its report, the committee has to state how much water is supplied by the Noida authority through the sewage treatment plants (STPs) to all the builders and if the source of water is tanker who is the supplier along with the proof," the bench said.

Earlier, NGT had appointed local commissioners and directed them to make surprise inspections of different construction project in Delhi-NCR and report if groundwater was being used.
The tribunal was hearing the plea of Noida-resident Vikrant Kumar Tongad who has alleged that real estate developers were withdrawing ground water in violation of its orders.