NGT raps Delhi Jal Board, seeks report on alleged rainwater harvesting lapses

The National Green Tribunal has given the Delhi Jal Board four weeks to file a report on allegations that its directions on rainwater harvesting systems, groundwater recharge and monitoring of groundwater quality in Delhi were not followed.In an order passed on Wednesday, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad noted that an execution application had been filed claiming non-compliance with some of the tribunal's directions. The matter has now been listed on October 27 for further proceedings.The bench noted the applicant's claim that several authorities, including the Delhi Jal Board, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Development Authority, had not followed the direction not to install rainwater harvesting systems near storm water drains to avoid contamination of groundwater during recharge.It also recorded the allegation that directions were not followed on installing piezometers, which are used to measure underground water pressure, near rainwater harvesting systems to monitor groundwater levels and the quality of recharged water. The applicant also alleged non-compliance with the order to install separators to remove pollutants before groundwater recharge.Another issue raised before the tribunal was the prescribed depth of recharge borewells. The applicant alleged that several recharge borewells were much deeper than the permitted level of five metres above the static water table. The tribunal also noted the allegation that deficient rainwater harvesting systems, including those located near storm water drains, had neither been closed nor rectified.The tribunal took note of the action referred to by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, including show-cause notices issued to certain authorities over deficiencies in rainwater harvesting systems."Counsel for the DJB seeks four weeks to obtain instructions in respect of the allegation of the above non-compliance and file further compliance report," the tribunal said.Allowing the request, the bench posted the matter on October 27, with the case centred on alleged lapses in complying with directions linked to rainwater harvesting and groundwater protection in the city.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 20, 2026 22:15 IST