Water table: Faridabad in ‘dark zone’

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, April 5

With the district already in the ‘dark zone’ in matter of water table and exploitation of water resources, the authorities have set up a team to check illegal digging of tubewells. The team has been directed to ensure strict action against violations of laid norms.

The team, comprising Joint Commissioners of all the three zones of Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) and the SDMs of Faridabad and Ballabgarh, announced that it would conduct raids and carry out checks in this regard.

While the Joint Commissioners of the Old Faridabad, Ballabgarh and NIT will be responsible of keeping an eye on such activities within their respective areas, the SDMs will look after areas falling out of the jurisdiction of the MCF.

“The steps have been taken in wake of the onset of summers as the city could face water problems,” claimed Deputy Commissioner Amit Aggarwal.

The officials have been asked to submit a monthly report, he said.

The latest directions issued by the Central Ground Water Board of India have placed the district in the ‘dark zone’ category, under which no boring can take place without the approval of the authorities concerned. All the illegal tubewells were required to be sealed or shut down as per section 4 of the Environment Protection Act- 1986, Aggarwal added.

While the MCF has over 1,300 tubewells in various wards at present, which supply drinking water, it is reported that a large number of authorised and unauthorised RO water treatment plants have been operational simultaneously, which supply bottled water to residents.

“As the water supplied by MCF tubewells in around a dozen wards is unfit for drinking, it has paved way for growth of tanker mafia and private suppliers on a large scale,” claimed KL Gera, a social activist.