Builders in Greater Noida are under scrutiny for allegedly illegally extracting groundwater, triggering potential fines following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order and subsequent investigations. Environmentalists raised concerns, leading to findings that 38 developers across 41 projects were not compliant with regulations on water extraction. The Greater Noida Authority has proposed fines totaling INR 144.3 crore, calculated at 1% of project costs due to absence of water metre data. Builders argue for fair penalties based on extraction duration and volume. This case underscores the critical need for stringent groundwater management in construction, with implications for environmental sustainability and community welfare.
Builders in Greater Noida may be facing significant fines for allegedly using groundwater without permission. This comes after a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order and a subsequent investigation by a district-level panel.
The issue began in June 2022 when environmentalists Prasoon Pant and Pradeep Kumar Dahlia filed a petition with the NGT, alleging that groundwater was being illegally extracted at 63 construction sites in Greater Noida. Following the NGT order, a panel investigated these sites and found that at least 38 developers, involved in 41 projects, were not following proper regulations.
Groundwater is a crucial resource, and its unregulated extraction can lead to depletion of water tables. This can have a significant impact on the surrounding environment and communities.
The Greater Noida Authority has recommended a total fine of INR 144.3 crore to be collected from the identified builders. This amount is calculated at 1% of the project cost, as details regarding the actual water extraction volume and duration were unavailable. The NGT had initially asked for a calculation based on 0.5% of the project cost, considering factors like the amount of water extracted and the period of extraction. However, the Greater Noida Authority couldn't furnish this data as none of the projects had water metres installed.
Some builders have expressed concerns about the fairness of the blanket fine. They argue that the penalty should consider the amount and duration of water extraction. For instance, a company using water for five years shouldn't face the same fine as one using it for two years.
The NGT's order and the subsequent fines highlight the importance of responsible water usage, especially in the construction sector. While some builders, like Anuj Choudhary, director of Panchsheel Buildtech Pvt Ltd, have denied using groundwater at their project sites and claim to have used treated sewage water from the Greater Noida Authority, the case serves as a reminder of the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of groundwater use.
The news report also mentions a slight dip in Greater Noida's pre-monsoon groundwater level, from 44 ft to 44.03ft. While the change seems small, it emphasises the potential impact of unregulated water extraction on this vital resource. In Noida, pre-monsoon groundwater level rose by around 2 ft in a year, from 77 ft to 75 ft. This difference in water level trends between Noida and Greater Noida highlights the potential consequences of unregulated extraction.
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