The National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, in Execution Application No. 4/2023 arising from Original Application No. 147/2021, directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to file updated action taken reports within four weeks regarding groundwater contamination in Dwarka housing societies caused by defective Rain Water Harvesting Systems. The Tribunal also observed that Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had not been made a party in the Execution Application and permitted the applicant to examine the same and take appropriate steps. The applicant appeared in person and was granted time to engage a lawyer.
The Original Application had raised the issue of contamination of ground water due to defective Rain Water Harvesting Systems (RWHs) in housing societies in Dwarka, Delhi. The Tribunal had disposed of the OA with certain directions. In its earlier order dated 10 December 2021, the Tribunal had directed DJB, DPCC, and CPCB to jointly prepare and execute a remedial action plan. By this Execution Application, the applicant is seeking compliance of the order dated 10.12.2021 passed in OA No. 147/2021.
The Learned Counsel for DJB submitted that a communication was sent on 20.01.2025 to the Member Secretary of DPCC recommending Environmental Compensation against defaulting societies. She also referred to communications about disconnecting water connections of erring societies and to notices issued asking them to make RWH systems functional within 15 days. However, she could not point out whether these actions were actually carried out. Similarly, the Counsel for DPCC sought additional time of four weeks to submit a fresh report, as the one dated 20.03.2025 did not reflect adequate steps taken in terms of the Tribunal’s earlier order.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member observed that a perusal of the report disclosed that out of 176 societies surveyed in Dwarka, in 115 societies, faecal coliform was found in the ground water and in four societies, Rain Water Harvesting Systems were found non-operational. DJB had initially filed a report dated 25.03.2025. Since some page of that report was missing, therefore, it has been refiled on 22.07.2025.
Accordingly, the Tribunal directed DJB and DPCC to file updated action taken reports within four weeks and also granted permission to Respondent No. 6 to place its objections on record. The matter has been listed for further consideration on 4 November 2025.
Appearances:
For Applicant: Mr. Mahesh Chandra Saxena, Applicant in Person
For Respondents: Mr. Tarunvir Singh Khehar (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), Ms. Richa Kapoor & Ms. Atika Singh (Delhi Jal Board), Mr. Narender Pal Singh & Mr. Divyesh Pant (Delhi Pollution Control Committee), Ms. Latika Malhotra (Delhi Development Authority), Mr. Shivam Bajaj & Ms. Bhavya Rani (Interlocutory Application No. 222/2025)