The builders alleged to be extracting groundwater are prominent names, notable among them are Gaursons, Supertech, Stellar Jeevan, ATS Infrastructure, LA Residentia to name a few.
Noida: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has passed directions for constitution of joint committee comprising Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and DM Gautam Budh Nagar to verify allegations and to take action against illegal groundwater extraction in Noida Extension by at least 40 builder projects—both, at construction stage and post-completion, on a plea by environment activists Prasoon Pant, a resident of Ghaziabad and Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Sunpura village of Gr Noida through advocate Ruchin Mehra. The committee has to submit an action taken report within 2 months. The said order was passed on July 5.
The builders alleged to be extracting groundwater are prominent names, notable among them are Gaursons, Supertech, Stellar Jeevan, ATS Infrastructure, LA Residentia to name a few.
Both the activists had complained about illegal groundwater extraction in Noida Extension or Gr Noida West that is located in Bisrakh block. The applicants submitted before the NGT about Bisrakh block falling in an “Over-Exploited” category where groundwater table is falling alarmingly since builders seized over the area.
According to one of the petitioners, Pradeep Kumar, the builders are mostly extracting groundwater at construction stage and as it goes unchecked they keep extracting groundwater for their completed projects as well, a fact that has now become the norm. He added that previously complaints were made to the CGWA, CPCB, UPPCB and other statutory authorities.
The Applicants also pointed out to the NGT that the Gr Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has failed in its statutory obligation of providing water supply to projects sanctioned by it, as under the UP Industrial Area Development Act, 1976, it is the duty of the Authority to provide “amenities” and water is one of those amenities.
They said that due to mindless development sanctioned by the authority, Noida Extension has reached saturation and development here is beyond the “Carrying Capacity” of the area leading to burden on natural resources such as groundwater.
The Tribunal will further hear the case on October 11.
