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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has granted the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) four weeks to take expeditious action and file a fresh compliance report on the installation of digital water meters (piezometers) at hotels and guest houses in Delhi's Paharganj area, observing that the Board had failed to take prompt action despite earlier directions.
A bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad was hearing an execution application in a matter concerning the alleged illegal extraction of groundwater by hotels, guest houses and other commercial establishments operating in Paharganj. The Tribunal noted that, under its earlier directions, DJB was required to ensure installation of piezometers so that the quantity of groundwater extracted from borewells could be measured and the appropriate water charges could be levied. According to the status report filed by DJB on July 16, only 162 out of 555 establishments had installed digital water meters. For the remaining establishments, DJB stated that it had issued reminders and final notices on July 7, 2026 directing them to install digital water meters or piezometers within seven days, failing which action would be taken in accordance with law. However, the Tribunal observed that despite more than three months having passed, 393 establishments were still extracting groundwater without any measurement mechanism in place. It further noted that only one final reminder notice had been placed on record and DJB had not disclosed whether similar notices had been issued to all the remaining defaulting establishments. "In such circumstances, we are of the view that DJB has failed to take prompt action in the matter," the Tribunal observed. During the hearing, counsel for DJB submitted that the Board would now take expeditious action and sought four weeks' time to submit a compliance report. Accepting the request, the Tribunal granted four weeks for filing the updated report. The Tribunal also dealt with two interlocutory applications filed by applicant Ved Pal Bhatia seeking directions and impleadment. It directed that copies of the applications be supplied to all concerned parties within three days and allowed the respondents four weeks to file their replies. (ANI)
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