Noida: The groundwater department in Lucknow has asked Noida DM to take action against a builder for excessive groundwater extraction in Greater Noida and submit a report within 10 days. The direction came after environmentalist Vikrant Tongad pursued the matter with the water resources department and submitted an application on April 22, alleging that the Greater Noida Authority had initially ignored his complaint.Tongad, in his application, mentioned that Migsun Builders have been carrying out large-scale dewatering operations in Tech Zone for the past year. Dewatering operations are specialised methods used to remove groundwater or surface water from construction sites, trenches or mining areas to create a dry, stable and safe environment for work.He wrote that the groundwater extracted by the builder is being discharged into the sewer system. This is a violation of rules. He demanded action against the builder under the provisions contained in the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019. He had written to the Authority multiple times, but they did not yield results. The last complaint was filed with the Authority on April 22.Tongad told TOI that due to large-scale dewatering activities, there has been a significant decline in the groundwater level across the entire region. “The extracted groundwater is flowing into the sewer system. Now the sewer lines are overburdened. The pipes might burst at any point, and the fresh groundwater might get contaminated too. It might cause permanent damage to the aquifer as well,” he said. “These activities are in clear violation of several legal provisions, including the UP Groundwater Act, NGT orders, the Environment (Protection) Act and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.”The residents and farmers of Gharbhara village are distressed about the illegal extraction of fresh groundwater and its wastage. “Recently, we have again received multiple complaints from the villagers. We have visited the site, captured pictures and filed the complaint to the state office for action,” Tongad said.He has requested the state groundwater department to check the extraction and also impose appropriate environmental compensation for the damage already caused.
