NGT Forms Joint Committee To Prepare Model On Reusing Water At Delhi Metro, Directs To File Action Taken Report

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a four-member joint committee to prepare a methodology on reusing water at Delhi Metro by DMRC.

The bench of Acting Chairperson Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Dr. A. Senthil Vel said, “We are of the view that proper methodology should be developed by the authorities concerned/DMRC to utilize the water and not to throw the water through pipeline on the road to create further nuisance and disturbance on the road side.”

Accordingly, NGT constituted a joint Committee consisting of representatives from the Public Works Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, DMRC and Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

It is tasked with preparing a technical report, with the help of technical officers, for developing a methodology or structured model to reuse the water for plantation, water into barrage pass, or recharging the groundwater and applying it to all such pillars.

The Tribunal was hearing the plea raising grievances against the discharge of rainwater on the roadside and the lack of a proper methodology and manner of its disposal or recharge by DMRC.

It was alleged that DMRC is violating Rule 50 of Delhi Water & Sewer (Tariff & Metering) Regulations, 2012 and considering the matter NGT in 2022, constituted a Committee consisting of DMRC, State PCB and Delhi Jal Board. The Committee was directed to inspect the site, take remedial action and submit factual and action taken report.

In compliance therewith, the Counsel appearing for the DMRC filed a report in February and submitted that action has been taken by the authorities concerned. The pipe has been extended and connected inside the pit to avoid the spillage of water, he added.

“The authorities have simply extended the pipeline on the road and no measures have been taken to utilize the water or to channelize it and water through pipe was thrown into the open road,” noted the Tribunal.

In light of the above the Tribunal constituted a joint committee.

While listing the matter for October 31, the Tribunal directed that, “Further action taken report be filed within four weeks.”

Case Title: Harpal Singh Rana v. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation & Ors.