The groundwater department has directed the AOA of Amrapali Leisure Valley in Greater Noida West to close all private borewells within 15 days and submit a compliance report, following the discovery of 50-60 unauthorized borewells. The society, which has around 800 villas but lacks a completion certificate and a water connection from GNIDA, relies on eight shared borewells for water. Ankita Rai from the groundwater department confirmed these borewells will remain operational, while individual villa owners' borewells will be decommissioned. The AOA asserts that only NBCC, responsible for water supply, should be held accountable. Decisions on fines are pending.
The groundwater department has notified the Amrapali Leisure Valley society's AOA in Greater Noida West, instructing them to close all private borewells within 15 days and submit a compliance report. The society has also been fined INR 5 lakh after the discovery of approximately 50-60 unauthorized borewells installed by villa owners.
Ankita Rai, a hydrologist with the groundwater department, told reporters from TNN that the society's eight borewells, installed during construction, would remain operational as they are the only water source for the entire community. She highlighted that these borewells would continue to function without interruption to provide a steady water supply for all residents. In contrast, the private borewells installed by individual villa owners were scheduled to be dismantled, and the owners had been given a 15-day deadline to shut them down.
Amrapali Leisure Valley Society comprises around 800 villas, of which 700 have already been handed over to buyers. However, the society has yet to receive a completion certificate from the relevant authority, and GNIDA has not provided a water connection. To tackle this issue, the AOA has been supplying water to residents using eight shared borewells, although it did not secure the necessary permission from the groundwater department for these installations. Additionally, over 50 villa owners in the society have set up their own borewells. Consequently, the groundwater department issued a notice to both the villa owners and the AOA, seeking a response. The AOA has since responded to this notice.
Rai mentioned that, according to the AOA, some of the shared borewells were installed by the builder and others by the NBCC, and that the AOA itself had not installed any borewells. She noted that the current responsibility for supplying water lies with NBCC, as the builder is no longer involved in the project. Therefore, the AOA believes that only NBCC should be held accountable and fined for any water supply issues. Departmental officials indicated that a decision regarding the matter would be made soon, and measures would be taken to impose a fine on the responsible party. Additionally, the groundwater department has contacted the Greater Noida Authority to seek a response concerning the water supply issue.
In summary, the situation at Amrapali Leisure Valley highlights ongoing challenges in managing water resources and regulatory compliance. With the groundwater department taking decisive action against unauthorized borewells, the AOA and villa owners face significant accountability issues. The reliance on shared borewells without proper permissions further complicates matters, raising concerns about the community's access to essential water supply. As officials deliberate on penalties and responsibilities, the resolution of these issues will be crucial for ensuring that residents have reliable access to water while adhering to legal and environmental guidelines. The outcome will significantly impact future development in the area.
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