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NGT Orders Action on South Delhi's Rogue Borewells
24 Apr
Summary
- NGT issued a notice to Delhi Jal Board for illegal groundwater extraction.
- A plea alleged multiple unauthorized borewells in south Delhi areas.
- DJB must file an action taken report within six weeks.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formally requested a report from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) concerning allegations of illegal groundwater extraction. This notice, issued on April 20, 2026, mandates the DJB to submit an action-taken report within a six-week timeframe.
The directive stems from a petition filed in 2025 by a Delhi resident. The plea detailed the presence of multiple unauthorized borewells operating in various south Delhi localities, such as Satbari, Gadaipur, Bhatti Village, Vasant Kunj, Sultanpur, and Ghitorni. Crucially, the petition asserted that these borewells lacked the necessary permissions.
While the NGT noted that no specific violator was named in the initial application, it permitted the applicant to submit a comprehensive complaint directly to the CEO of DJB. The CEO is then required to follow due procedure, verify the allegations, and take appropriate action, which may include sealing any identified illegal borewells. The tribunal expects this process to be expedited, ideally within six weeks of the complaint's receipt.
