The Hindu : New Delhi News : DJB may get groundwater control

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 16, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

DJB may get groundwater control

Sandeep Joshi

Board can now check depleting water table, penalise defaulters

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet's recent decision to give control and development of groundwater resources in the Capital to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has come as a relief to senior water utility officials who feel they would now be able to effectively check the fast depleting water table and penalise defaulters.

On Monday, the Cabinet gave its nod to the Delhi Water Board (Amendment) Bill 2005 for legislative approval. As per the proposed amendment, control and development of groundwater resources in Delhi would be added to the functions of the water utility. According to a senior DJB official, for long the water utility has been demanding total control of groundwater resources in the Capital as its uncontrolled extraction has led to a lowering of the water table to alarming levels, with South and South-West Delhi being the most affected areas.

Apart from increasing salinity in the soil, the fall in water table has also been affecting DJB's sources like ponds, wells and tubewells, he added.

Stating that lack of effective monitoring of illegal extraction and enforcement of laws in this connection were the two main reasons behind this alarming situation, the official added that bringing groundwater under the water utility's control would help in improving the situation. "The CGWA did not have enough manpower to monitor and check misuse of groundwater. With enough employees and a proper mechanism in place, the DJB would help in improving the water table," he added.

Giving an instance of how lack of enforcement was affecting Delhi's water table, he said recently the DJB reported a case of illegal boring to the CGWA but no help arrived. The water utility had to then approach the area's Sub-Divisional Magistrate to take immediate action. But by the time help arrived, damage had already been done, he said. Also, the decision would mean that a single authority would control water resources and that would not only make monitoring easier but also help in fixing accountability, he added.

However, this step could result in Delhiites pay extra for extracting groundwater as at present only permission is required from the CGWA. Experts say with over two lakh tubewells, it could prove to be a boon for the water utility.

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