Archive · 20 Aug 2026
NGT Gives Delhi Jal Board Four Weeks on Compliance Report
The National Green Tribunal is checking whether some Delhi authorities followed its instructions about rainwater harvesting.
An applicant says several rules were not followed.
These rules are meant to protect groundwater from pollution.
The allegations include putting systems too close to stormwater drains.
They also concern missing devices that measure groundwater and water quality.
The applicant says some borewells were deeper than allowed.
The Delhi Jal Board asked for four weeks to check the allegations and prepare a report.
The tribunal will consider the matter again on October 27.
The National Green Tribunal gave the Delhi Jal Board four weeks to submit a report on alleged non-compliance with its directions.
The allegations concern rainwater harvesting systems, groundwater recharge, and groundwater-quality monitoring in Delhi.
The applicant claimed authorities installed systems near stormwater drains, risking contamination during groundwater recharge.
The tribunal also noted allegations involving missing piezometers, pollutant separators, and recharge borewells deeper than permitted.
The matter was posted for further proceedings on October 27, after the Delhi Pollution Control Committee issued some show-cause notices.
- Who
- The National Green Tribunal, the Delhi Jal Board, and other Delhi authorities including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Development Authority.
- What
- The tribunal allowed the Delhi Jal Board four weeks to file a report on alleged non-compliance with directions concerning rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
- When
- The order was passed on Wednesday, August 20; the next proceedings are scheduled for October 27.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- An execution application alleged that directions on system placement, groundwater monitoring, pollutant removal, borewell depth, and rectifying deficient systems had not been followed.
Applicant’s allegations
Delhi Jal Board’s response
Compliance with tribunal directions
Applicant’s allegations
The applicant alleged that the Delhi Jal Board and other authorities had not followed the tribunal’s directions on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
Delhi Jal Board’s response
The Delhi Jal Board sought four weeks to obtain instructions on the allegations and file a further compliance report; the article does not state its substantive position on the claims.
Rainwater harvesting system placement
Applicant’s allegations
The applicant claimed that systems had been installed near stormwater drains, contrary to directions intended to prevent groundwater contamination.
Delhi Jal Board’s response
The Delhi Jal Board was given time to respond; the tribunal did not record a final finding on whether the alleged violations occurred.
Groundwater monitoring and borewell depth
Applicant’s allegations
The applicant alleged that piezometers and pollutant separators were not properly installed and that some recharge borewells exceeded the permitted depth.
Delhi Jal Board’s response
The Delhi Jal Board requested time to investigate and report on these allegations.
- Tribunal
- National Green Tribunal
- Responding authority
- Delhi Jal Board
- Time granted
- Four weeks
- Next hearing
- October 27
- Borewell limit cited
- Five metres above the static water table
- Monitoring equipment
- Piezometers were directed near rainwater harvesting systems to measure groundwater levels and recharged-water quality
- Related action
- The Delhi Pollution Control Committee issued show-cause notices to certain authorities over deficiencies in rainwater harvesting systems