Reply by Lucknow Development Authority OA No 594 of 2024 regarding conservation and management of groundwater in Lucknow. The NGT vide order dated September 4, 2024 took suo moto cognisance on the basis of a news item published in navbharattimes.indiatimes.com dated April 13, 2024 on the issue of groundwater depletion in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

According to the Development Authority Building By-Laws 2008 (amended in 2011/2016) states that rainwater harvesting is mandatory for plots with an area of 300 square meters or more in all kinds of land, excluding waterlogged areas. In the 178th meeting of the Lucknow Development Authority Board, August 5, 2023, several provisions were established to ensure compliance with the Development Authority Building By-Laws 2008.

For pollution free Kukrail river, Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department issued a proposal to Nagar Commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Lucknow vide letter dated September 4, 2024. Illegal encroachment of slum area, Bhikampur, Akbar Nagar I and II have been removed.

The Lucknow Development Authority has successfully developed and implemented rainwater harvesting systems across a total area of 534,247 square meters. This includes various government buildings, offices, private and commercial establishments, group housing projects, parks and the redevelopment of water bodies covering an area of 141,359.16 square meters.

The Lucknow Development Authority is doing its level best to maintain the groundwater level in Lucknow, the report said.