The Times of India 17.08.2012
162 illegal borewells found in Gurgaon
GURGAON: Over 162 illegal functional borewells were found in private developers' area in different sectors in Gurgaon, according to a survey carried out by the department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) recently.
The staggering number of illegal borewells
in private developers' areas indicates that gallons of groundwater were
being used in construction works which is in violation of the Punjab
and Haryana high court order.
Sources in the DTCP reveal that the survey was carried out after the court's order dated July 31.The DTCP officials had collected data of all the sectors and found that
the maximum number of illegal borewells had been installed in group
housing projects (143) followed by plotted colonies (10). Most of these
colonies are located in new Gurgaon and the details have been sent to
the headquarter in Chandigarh for follow-up action.
As per the court order the builders now cannot carry out construction work by drawing groundwater through borewells.The survey establishes the gross violation by the private builders
since in many cases the project was found to be under way. Refusing to
divulge the names of builders, a DTCP source said that builders did not
respond to the queries relating to borewells.
"The survey field
staff tried to collect information regarding the permission obtained by
the colonizers for installing the borewells at the sites. But many of
them failed to provide the details," said a DTCP official.
In Gurgaon the district administration had stopped issuing permission for permission in 2010.The district administration had roped in the HUDA enforcement wing to crack down on the illegal borewells.
After the recent court order, HUDA swung into action and sealed over 20
borewells located in different places. HUDA officials claimed that the
borewell sealing drive has not gathered much pace in private builders'
areas. There are times when the DTCP did not share much information and
also the local police have not shown adequate interest in investigating
the cases.
"There are instances when HUDA sealed a borewell and
violators damaged the seal and used the borewell again. Unless police
start taking stern action the sealing will not have its desired effect,"
said a HUDA official.
