NGT queries DPCC over illegal water supply in Delhi's Jamia Nagar

The National Green Tribunal has sought details from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on action being taken against illegal supply of water at Jamia Nagar here. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked the DPCC to file an affidavit showing action and not mere proposal or recommendation.

"The compensation to be recovered must take into account the value of the groundwater extracted and must be deterrent so as to discourage violation. "It should be adequate to recover the cost of restoration. If these factors have not been considered, the same be now considered and the amount revised. Basis for determination be indicated," the bench said. The tribunal had earlier sought a report from the DPCC which told the bench that the SDM has been asked to take action and compensation of Rs 50,000 was assessed.

The NGT was hearing a plea filed by city resident Shahid Khan who alleged that illegal business of water supply was going on at a house at Joga Bai near public library in Jamia Nagar. The tribunal has earlier directed the Delhi government to act against unauthorised water extraction in the national capital and directed it to seal the illegal borewells.

It had also directed the authorities to mark the borewells which were discharging contaminated water, containing high levels of fluoride and arsenic, in red colour to apprise people that the water was unfit for consumption.

(With inputs from agencies.)