Report submitted to the NGT on groundwater recharge, Delhi, 20/01/2021

Progress report in continuation of earlier report dated December 19, 2020 of the Monitoring Committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal vide order August 30, 2018 in Original Application No. 496/2016 dated 20/01/2021.

The matter related to groundwater recharge in Delhi.

The Monitoring Committee focussed on

1. Revival and rejuvenation of water bodies

2. Status of illegal and unauthorised borewells and tubewells

3. Use of treated water to curb dust pollution

4. Status of water supply network and renovation of UGR at Patparganj Industrial Area

5. Issue of appropriate design of rainwater harvest system

6. Rainwater harvesting system

7. Encroachments at water bodies.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in its status report stated that a proposal for creation of lake at the abandoned land of ash-ponds owned by M/s Indraprastha Gas Corporation Ltd. has been approved by DJB. Request letter has been issued to Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to issue NOC. It was proposed to utilize 15 mgd of treated effluent to recharge groundwater through the lake.

There were 15 water bodies under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which have not been developed or rejuvenated so far. The ASI has issued NOC of three water bodies to the DJB to rejuvenate the water bodies.

DDA has informed the Committee that 87 bore-wells have since been sealed upto July, 2020. 101 decenterlized STPs are being installed in the parks which would soon be commissioned. In 79 parks, DJB has to lay an effluent pipe network. In 91 parks, treated effluent was used. DJB would expedite the laying of effluent pipelines in the parks as requested by DDA.