The National Green Tribunal has directed the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Vasant Vihar in South Delhi to immediately provide clean drinking water to the residents of the area owing to water shortage.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the SDM to hold a meeting with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation within two weeks to resolve the problem of water scarcity in the area.
"We direct SDM, Vasant Vihar to hear the applicants in the representative capacity and pass appropriate orders for ensuring that potable water is being provided to the residents of that locality without delay.
"The SDM shall also call the concerned corporation to factually resolve the issue. The SDM shall hold meeting within two weeks and submit the report before the tribunal," the bench said while hearing a case related to illegal extraction of groundwater through borewells by certain residents of Vasant Kunj Enclave here.
The directions came after the counsel for Vasant Kunj Enclave residents informed the bench that their borewells have been sealed and there is dire scarcity of drinking water.
"Delhi Jal Board is providing only two tankers per day to the locality which is insufficient for all the residents," the counsel said.
The tribunal had on April 28 directed sealing of all "unauthorised" borewells which did not have requisite permission from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in Vasant Vihar area.
The SDM had told the bench that there are number of unauthorised, illegal borewells operating in the area and they are being run by the water mafia for selling water at very high charges.
The officer had also told the green panel that there were nearly 20 to 22 borewells illegal borewells. However, she has directed sealing of only five borewells which are operating without permission from CGWA.
The bench was also informed that Vasant Kunj Enclave does not have rain water harvesting systems and consequently the groundwater levels was depleting.
