Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal groundwater extraction along the Yamuna riverbed, Delhi, 04/04/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News Item Titled "Deep Dive into illegal Water Business" appearing in the Times of India dated 02.04.2025 dated 04/04/2025.
The original application was registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled “Deep Dive into Illegal Water Business” appearing in the Times of India dated 02.04.2025.” The matter related to the illegal extraction of groundwater along the Yamuna riverbed abutting Noida link road at Mayur Vihar in Delhi.
As per the article, a clandestine and large-scale operation of illegal borewell based water extraction during night time is going on, involving an organized network of tankers siphoning off groundwater. The article reveals that heavy machinery like JCBs and earthmovers are used to dig these borewells, and the extracted water is sold to unauthorized buyers. The news item further states that the extraction process is highly organized. At night, workers begin operating multiple borewells using underground pipelines connected to powerful submersible pumps. The water is pumped continuously into large tankers, each of which takes approximately 30 minutes to fill. A designated man maintains a register, recording each tanker’s details before it leaves for delivery.
The NGT directed notices to be issued to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB); Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA); Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC); Central Pollution Control Board and District Magistrate (East Delhi). The respondents have been directed to file their response / reply by way of affidavit.