Report by GMDA on steps taken for groundwater recharge and water harvesting, Gurugram, Haryana, 03/09/2020
Action taken report by the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) in the case of Original Application No. 523/2019 in the matter of Vaishali Rana Chandra Vs Union of India & Others dated 03/09/2020.
A petition was filed by a Gurugram resident Vaishali Rana Chandra against the illegal concretisation of the Badshahpur drain, affecting its capacity to recharge groundwater. The NGT had directed the state of Haryana to take steps with respect to abatement measures that need to adopted to ensure that rain water harvesting and ground water recharge are not affected and flooding is avoided.
GMDA informed the Tribunal that it has decided to prioritise recharging in the upper region and rejuventating of existing water bodies and through water recharging structures. Emphasis has been given in comprehensive approach which included recharging ground water via taping of surplus runoff being channelized into the drain leading up to Najafgarh drain.
A detailed comprehensive study was conducted and concept plan was prepared to offset the ground water recharge affected due to concretization of Badshahpur drain.
The concept plan proposed the following:
1. Arrest the run-off from the areas beyond the Gurugram Manesar Urban Compplex Development Plan area by a multi-pronged approach creating check dams in the hill sections and channelize water into pondage areas.
2. Further, diversion of runoff from Badshahpur drain has been proposed by constructing a drain along southern peripheral road (SPR) through central peripheral road (CPR). This will reduce the load on Badshahpur drain and prevent flooding of Hero-Honda Chowk.
3. Provision of recharge wells along SPR has been considered.
A comprehensive drainage plan was proposed - involving the creating of water harvesting structures, recharge wells, pondage areas and channelization of creeks and construction of Leg IV (an offshoot of Badshahpur drain from Sohna Road upto NH-48).
An annexure of the report includes the action taken report by the Chief Engineer, MCG. The MCG report talked about pond rejuvenation. Around 26 live ponds (Johad) was identified as per record under the jurisdiction of MCG - out of which 5 ponds have already been developed by the municipal corporation.