The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered shutting down of 34 packaged drinking water units in Noida and Greater Noida for "exploiting" underground water and operating without permission of any of the competent authorities.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar gave the direction after the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority in its affidavit informed the tribunal that these units did not have the consent of NOIDA, Greater Noida, Central Ground Water Authority, UP Pollution Control Board or any other competent authority.
"In the affidavit, it has been specifically stated that these units besides being polluting units, are also exploiting the underground water. This apparently results in water scarcity. In any case, law prohibits carrying on any units or industry acting without permission of the said authorities.
"All these units shall stop operation forthwith and shall not carry on activities of packaging drinking water by using underground water and without consent of the Pollution Control Board. Notice shall also issue to these units. The NOIDA/ Greater Noida authorities shall ensure its service upon them...," the bench, also comprising judicial member Justice P Jyothimani, said.
The forum has fixed the case for further hearing on March 21.
The tribunal was hearing a plea of Noida resident Vikrant Kumar Tongad who alleged that the underground water situation has reached critical dimensions in Noida and Greater Noida and there is also a serious water pollution problem there.
On February 8, the NGT had directed the authorities to furnish complete details of the "functioning of illegal packaging of drinking water industry and source of water adopted by them for carrying on their business and whether such industries are functioning with requisite permission".
Before that, on January 11, the NGT had passed an order restraining all builders of Noida and Greater Noida from "extracting" ground water for construction or any other purpose.
