The team shall conduct surprise inspections at all major construction projects
The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday came down heavily on Noida and Greater Noida authorities for their failure to restrain builders from extracting ground water and constituted a committee to conduct surprise inspection at construction sites in Delhi-NCR.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar constituted the committee comprising senior officers from Central Ground Water Authority, Central Pollution Control Board and state pollution control boards to make surprise inspections and report if groundwater was being used.
"This team shall conduct surprise inspections at all major construction projects in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida and Faridabad. This inspection will start from tomorrow and the report shall be submitted one week prior to next date of hearing," the bench said while posting the matter for October 13.
The tribunal made it clear that the committee has to submit report on three aspects -- whether there is any mechanism or equipment for extraction of groundwater on the construction sites, what is the source of water for construction and the actual quantum of water required.
"In its report, the committee has to state how much water is supplied by the Noida authority through the sewage treatment plants (STPs) to all the builders and if the source of water is tanker who is the supplier along with the proof," the bench said.
During the hearing, the tribunal slammed the authorities for their failure to stop groundwater extraction and issued bailable warrants to J D Contractors Private Limited for its non-appearance despite notices being issued.
"What is going on? When your great officers found some time to get up from their chairs and grace the occasion, why couldn't they notice any equipment installed in the premises of the construction projects," the bench asked.
Earlier, the NGT had appointed local commissioners and directed them to make surprise inspections of different construction project in Delhi-NCR and report if groundwater was being used.
The tribunal was hearing the plea of Noida resident Vikrant Kumar Tongad who has alleged that real estate developers were withdrawing ground water in violation of its orders.