4 builders fined Rs 4.88 cr for illegal water extraction in Gurugram

The Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) has fined four builders Rs 4.88 crore for illegal water extraction in Gurugram. The BPTP Complex (now Countrywide Promoters Pvt Ltd) was fined Rs 2.12 crore, Ramprastha Promoters and Developers Pvt Ltd Rs 1.10 crore, VS Realprojects Pvt Ltd Selfie (AMB Square) Rs 1.22 crore, and Neocentra Rs 44.28 lakh.

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As per the inquiry report filed by the Chairperson of HWRA, Keshni Anand Arora, to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), along with the fine, the seizure of borewells and reported sump wells existing at the project proponents' sites was also ordered.

The NGT is hearing the matter related to the illegal extraction of groundwater by builders in Gurugram, in violation of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) guidelines.

The tribunal had formed a Joint Committee, which confirmed the illegal extraction of groundwater by the builders in November 2023.

The next hearing before the NGT is July 7.

The HWRA has issued 1,702 notices to several units in Haryana, in which 106 tube wells were dismantled by May 31.

In its order dated April 23 this year, the NGT observed that despite the violations, the state authorities had not taken any action.

The NGT Bench, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, said, “The latest reply, dated April 22, 2025, filed by the CEO, Haryana Water Resource Authority, only mentions that the show-cause notices dated March 4, 2025, and the reminder notice dated April 9, 2025, were issued. In fact, to ascertain if the borewells exist with due permission, only the permission was required to be verified.”

The order further said the tribunal was surprised that a simple exercise had taken about one-and-a-half-years, and till now, action against illegally borewells had not been completed. "By delaying the action, in fact, the Respondent Authorities have permitted/allowed illegal extraction of groundwater from borewells.”

The NGT directed Arora to hold an inquiry into the delay.

Arora, in her inquiry report, noted that BPTP Ltd had, in its reply to the notice, denied all allegations of dewatering, however, the Joint Committee had found seven tubewells in their complex, and dewatering activity was observed. The committee had found that no sewage connection had been provided to the unit and treated water was used within the unit premises for gardening/flushing, etc. She added that as their NOC application was incomplete, they were afforded 17 opportunities in writing on various dates, and reminders were also issued through online mode 12 times.

Ramprastha Promoters and Developers had submitted an application for NOC for dewatering in November 2023, but no proper Impact Assessment Report was submitted. It was necessary to obtain permission from relevant government offices for the disposal of dewatered water in the drain.

In the case of VS Realprojects, the committee noted that one tube well and one sump well were located within the complex, while two electrified tube wells were situated outside. These were deemed necessary to be sealed.

No one from M/s Neocentra appeared for a personal hearing before the HWRA, although its application for an NOC was pending.