Delhi High Court Calls for Action Against Illegal Borewells Amid Water Crisis

Court's Strong Stance on Water Extraction

The Delhi High Court has condemned the illegal extraction of water through borewells, labeling it as a significant wrongdoing. The court has urged for the implementation of strict measures to deter such offenses.

Expressing serious concern over the diminishing water levels in Delhi, the court warned that the city could face a crisis similar to Johannesburg, South Africa, which experienced severe water shortages in the past.

During a hearing of a public interest litigation presented by advocate Sunil Kumar Sharma, the bench, which included Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, questioned, "Do we want Delhi to suffer like Johannesburg, where residents went months without water?" This was in response to allegations of multiple illegal submersible pumps being installed at a construction site on Goenka Road in Roshanara.

The bench highlighted the dire situation, stating, "The illegal borewells are depleting groundwater levels at an alarming rate. We must implement some form of deterrent against this practice."

The court criticized local authorities for their lack of action and questioned how such illegal borewells were allowed for construction purposes.

The petition, which included information obtained through the Right to Information Act, revealed conflicting reports from government bodies: while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) reported six illegal borewells, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Daryaganj confirmed only three, which were said to have been sealed.

To clarify these discrepancies and evaluate the situation, the court mandated a joint survey of the site by senior officials from the MCD, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the local police station. The survey is to be completed within ten days, with a report to be submitted.

The court emphasized that if any illegal borewells are found to be operational, the authorities must take immediate action. Additionally, the survey team is required to report on the number of borewells previously in use and how long they operated.

Importantly, the court suggested that environmental compensation could be imposed on the property owner if the investigation reveals that unauthorized groundwater extraction has led to ecological damage. The bench stated, "We will consider imposing environmental penalties based on the findings of the report," and scheduled the next hearing for July 30.

According to the petitioner, the construction project involves around 100 residential units, and the illegal borewells not only threaten water availability but also contribute to environmental harm. He noted that he has approached the authorities multiple times, but no action has been taken.