NEW DELHI: Delhi Jal Board has identified more than 19,000 illegal borewells and groundwater extraction points, which are being used to drain the precious sub-surface resource in the city. A major crackdown against the offenders is likely to be launched in the coming months. Out of the 19,154 illegal borewells, 7,000 units have already been sealed by the district authorities, a senior DJB official said.
Raghav Chadha, the vice-chairman of Delhi Jal Board said, "The remaining units will be sealed on priority and the process will be completed within a period of two months. District-level officials have been asked to submit weekly progress reports to the divisional commissioner for regular monitoring. More illegal borewells will be identified in the second phase. When it comes to illegal extraction of ground water, the kejriwal govt will deal with it with an iron fist and will ensure that no illegal extraction happens." Central Ground Water Authority has already notified all districts of Delhi as overexploited areas, which need regulation.
DJB has also come up with a revised standard operating procedure to deal with illegal groundwater extraction. The modification is being carried out as per an order in an ongoing case where the National Green Tribunal had asked the Jal Board to devise mechanism for preventing extraction of groundwater by way of unauthorised tubewells and taking coercive measures in case of such illegality.
The SOP clearly states that drawing groundwater for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial uses is illegal without the prior permission of DJB or New Delhi Municipal Council. While deputy commissioner (revenue) of each district is the authorised officer to supervise checking of violations, an advisory committee in each district has been constituted to assist the deputy commissioner in detecting illegal borewells and taking action. “The committee will prepare a list of such illegal borewells every month,” the official said. Punitive actions will comprise sealing of extraction point and drilling rig and cutting of electricity supply
Raghav Chadha, the vice-chairman of Delhi Jal Board said, "The remaining units will be sealed on priority and the process will be completed within a period of two months. District-level officials have been asked to submit weekly progress reports to the divisional commissioner for regular monitoring. More illegal borewells will be identified in the second phase. When it comes to illegal extraction of ground water, the kejriwal govt will deal with it with an iron fist and will ensure that no illegal extraction happens." Central Ground Water Authority has already notified all districts of Delhi as overexploited areas, which need regulation.
DJB has also come up with a revised standard operating procedure to deal with illegal groundwater extraction. The modification is being carried out as per an order in an ongoing case where the National Green Tribunal had asked the Jal Board to devise mechanism for preventing extraction of groundwater by way of unauthorised tubewells and taking coercive measures in case of such illegality.
The SOP clearly states that drawing groundwater for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial uses is illegal without the prior permission of DJB or New Delhi Municipal Council. While deputy commissioner (revenue) of each district is the authorised officer to supervise checking of violations, an advisory committee in each district has been constituted to assist the deputy commissioner in detecting illegal borewells and taking action. “The committee will prepare a list of such illegal borewells every month,” the official said. Punitive actions will comprise sealing of extraction point and drilling rig and cutting of electricity supply
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