Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding supply of treated water to parks under SDMC, Delhi, 26/03/2021
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Manoj Mishra Vs Union of India & Others dated 26/03/2021 This application has been filed by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) in a decided matter against the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
The grievance is that the Corporation is maintaining 6822 parks. It was having borewells for irrigation of the parks which have been sealed as per order of the NGT, January 27, 2021. The said order was passed to conserve fresh water for drinking purposes and to use treated water for irrigation purposes.
The NGT directed the DJB to ensure supply of treated water with adequate pressure and wherever piped supply was not available, to supply such water with tankers. The DJB was in the process of providing pipe network from STP to the parks. And till such pipelines are laid, there was need for tankers for supply of water to 5357 parks. Also, hiring of tankers is the responsibility of the DJB and not of the Municipal Corporation. The Tribunal said that the responsibility of water supply and maintenance of sewage was the statutory responsibility of the Delhi Jal Board under the Jal Board Act, 1998.