Submit plan to curb concretisation effect of Badshapur drain, GMDA told

Gurgaon: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked GMDA to prepare a plan explaining how to neutralise the impact of concretisation of the Badshapur drain, and submit it by October 27. The direction was given when the tribunal was hearing a petition filed by activist Vaishali Rana Chandra on Thursday on the concretisation of the 18km drain.
The petitioner pointed out that since the drain has been concretised and boxed, it has been observed that approximately 347 million litres of water annually is being wasted which could otherwise have recharged the groundwater table of this region. In 2016, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) declared Gurgaon a “dark zone”. The groundwater extraction rate in Gurgaon was at 308% and the health of the city’s aquifer has been deteriorating since then.
GMDA had submitted an action-taken report in NGT pointing out that a detailed comprehensive study was conducted and concept plan prepared with a view to ensure recharge of groundwater which is being wasted due to concretisation of Badshahpur drain. As per the plan, a runoff from Badshapur drain has been proposed by constructing a drain along Southern Peripheral Road through Central Peripheral Road, and finally culminating in Railway Culvert. This will reduce the load on Badshapur drain and prevent flooding of Hero Honda Chowk.
It also said that MCG has identified 26 live water bodies, out of which four have been restored, rejuvenated and beautified. The work on the remaining 22 is underway and will be completed by March 31 next year, which is the deadline set by NGT.
This report was cast off by the court as it felt the proposed measures don’t focus on the betterment of the Badshapur drain in particular. The tribunal asked for plans specific to the drain for which GMDA sought time to respond and the green court agreed to give one month. The next hearing on this matter is on October 27.
“Concretising of Badshapur drain is a disaster and even though the case is in court, the civic bodies are still busy concretising the natural drain. The entire process was illegal and this is the primary reason behind urban flooding in this area even after a brief spell of rain,” said Chandra, who is the petitioner in this case.
Environmentalist Vivek Kamboj said, “Every year, the city is losing millions of litres of water which could have recharged the groundwater table because of an unplanned move.”
Meanwhile, the GMDA official said that the department has already submitted the detailed action-taken report and will be submit-ting a plan to neutralise the effect of concretisation of the drain soon. “We will prepare a plan to ensure that the effect of concretisation of the Badshahpur drain is neutralised. We will submit the report before the next hearing,” said a senior GMDA official.