Stop groundwater extraction from illegal borewells, DMRC told

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to stop extraction of groundwater from borewells that are running illegally in the national capital. The tribunal made it clear that the DMRC can only use water from those borewells for which it has permission.

A bench headed by Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore passed the order after it was informed that the Delhi Metro had permission for only 164 borewells.

The green panel also directed the DMRC to seek permission for water extraction through borewells from the Central Ground Water Authority and inform it after getting the requisite approvals.

Advocate Kush Sharma, appearing for petitioner Kush Kalra, alleged that the DMRC has installed illegal borewells right under the nose of authorities, but no action has been taken till date.

Kalra had alleged that the DMRC was extracting groundwater instead of using waste water to wash its trains, resulting in depletion of the water table. It had contended that if any individual installs a borewell without permission in his house, authorities seal it in no time and slap a fine, but the DMRC has installed 276 borewells and no action has been taken till now.

Referring to a RTI reply, the plea had said DMRC's water requirement was met through borewells and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) connections.

It also said that in order to draw water from the borewells, three to five HP pumps

were used.