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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water Department to investigate allegations of illegal groundwater extraction by real estate developers in Noida and Greater Noida. The case originates from a petition raising concerns over large-scale dewatering and borewell usage at multiple construction sites. The tribunal has asked authorities to verify facts on the ground, identify violations, and take appropriate action, including penalties where necessary. It also stressed procedural fairness, noting that all alleged violators must be properly heard during the inquiry process.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water Department to carry out a comprehensive investigation into allegations that several real estate developers in Noida and Greater Noida have been extracting groundwater without proper authorisation.
The order comes in response to a petition highlighting concerns over widespread and unregulated use of groundwater resources by construction projects operating in the region. The plea specifically pointed to practices such as continuous dewatering at excavation sites and the use of borewells for construction activities, which are alleged to be taking place without the necessary approvals from competent authorities.
According to the petition, rapid real estate development in the Noida–Greater Noida belt has led to significant stress on local groundwater reserves. The area, already classified as sensitive in terms of groundwater availability, has reportedly witnessed a steady decline in water levels over the years. The complainants argued that unchecked extraction by multiple developers has further aggravated the situation, raising concerns over long-term environmental sustainability.
Taking note of the submissions, the tribunal has directed the state groundwater authority to examine the allegations in detail. It has instructed the department to conduct a field-level verification of the construction sites mentioned in the complaint and determine whether any violations of groundwater extraction norms have occurred.
The NGT has also emphasised that appropriate action must be taken if irregularities are found. This includes initiating both corrective steps to prevent further damage and punitive measures against violators as per applicable environmental laws and groundwater regulations. The tribunal’s direction underscores the importance of ensuring that development activity complies with environmental safeguards, particularly in water-stressed regions.
In its observations, the tribunal also highlighted procedural concerns in the matter. It noted that several of the entities accused of illegal extraction had not been formally included as parties in the proceedings. To ensure fairness and transparency, the NGT stated that all relevant stakeholders must be given an opportunity to present their case before any final conclusions are drawn.
The order further directs that the complaints, along with supporting documents and evidence, be placed before the competent authority for an independent and structured inquiry. The tribunal has made it clear that any findings must be based on verified data and ground-level assessment rather than unsubstantiated claims.
The case reflects the increasing judicial scrutiny over groundwater management in rapidly urbanising areas like Noida, where construction activity continues to expand at a fast pace. Environmental experts have often raised concerns that such regions face a dual challenge of high water demand and shrinking natural recharge capacity.
With the NGT’s intervention, the matter now moves to the state-level regulatory machinery, which will be responsible for conducting inspections, assessing compliance, and reporting findings back through the appropriate legal channels. The outcome of this investigation is expected to have implications for how groundwater usage is regulated in large-scale real estate projects across the region.
Source- India Kanoon
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