“Consider Petition & Take Action On Allegation Of Illegal Groundwater Extraction”: NGT Asks DPCC

The National Green Tribunal on Monday has asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to consider a petition and take remedial action regarding an allegation of illegal groundwater extraction by a vehicle washing centre in Mangolpuri.

The petition claimed that vehicle washing centre is not only drawing groundwater but also discharging “toxic water” into drains.

It claimed, despite the centre being sealed in March 2020, it continues to extract groundwater for washing vehicles in violation of environmental norms.

A bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel stated, “We find that the issue at the first instance needs to be considered by the member secretary, DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee).”

While disposing of the petition, the bench stated in a recent order that the DPCC member secretary has to examine the petitioner’s grievance and take necessary remedial action, if the allegations are found to be correct.

The tribunal stated, “Let this exercise be completed within 3 months.”

It also sought an action-taken report from the DPCC on the matter.