By Bricksnwall | 2024-07-11
Groundwater department officials reported that developers were caught illegally utilising groundwater in sectors 153, 154, and 156.
The Groundwater Department penalised six large developers ₹5 lakh each for illegally extracting groundwater for buildings in Noida authority areas, officials said on Wednesday.
According to officials, the Noida authority filed a complaint against the developers for groundwater extraction, and a case has been launched under the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019.
According to groundwater department authorities, teams are being dispatched to visit the sites to ensure that dewatering operations have been paused.
"We imposed an environment compensation fine
of ₹5 lakh each on six developers who engaged in illegal groundwater extraction
at their respective construction sites." Inspections are underway, and we
have been keeping an eye out to ensure that dewatering activities do not
recommence at the locations," said Ankita Rai, hydrologist, groundwater
department, Gautam Budh Nagar.
"Further inspections are ongoing to identify
similar offenders and legal action will be initiated against them as
well," according to her.
The sites where developers were discovered
unlawfully collecting groundwater are in sectors 153, 154, and 156.
"Groundwater extraction not only breaches
environmental standards, but it also poses a serious threat to our city's water
table. We will continue to take prompt action against such violations,
including imposing high penalties', said Lokesh M, CEO of the Noida Authority.
"We urge all stakeholders to adhere to sustainable and legal practices to ensure that groundwater is conserved for future generations," he told reporters.
Notably, between 2017 and 2023, Noida's groundwater
level fell by 9.9 metres in the post-monsoon months and 8.5 metres in the
pre-monsoon months due to insufficient rainfall and water recharge, according
to the district groundwater department.
The groundwater level fell from 14 metres in 2017
to 22.5 metres in 2023 during the pre-monsoon months, and from 13.1 metres in
2017 to 23 metres in the post-monsoon months, according to the department.
Local environmental groups argue that issuing a ₹5
lakh penalty will not prevent widespread groundwater mining.
"Imposing sanctions alone will not deter. The
Noida authority reserves the right to withdraw allocations for builders who continue
to misuse groundwater. If the builders continue to dewater, the authority must
launch a petition against them. To address the issue, a high-level committee
comprising all stakeholders and environmental activists should be convened in
the presence of the CEO and DM', stated VIkrant Tongad, founder of Social
Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE).
Source: HindustanTime