The Times of India      02.03.2013

National Green Tribunal orders shutting of 34 drinking water plants

NOIDA: The National Green Tribunal on Thursday ordered for shutting down 34 packaged drinking water facilities in Noida and Greater Noida for extraction of groundwater and functioning illegally without sanctions from any competent authority.

A bench of the tribunal passed the orders on a petition filed by an environmental activist Vikrant Tongad. It had been alleged in the petition that ceaseless extraction of groundwater has been leading to its rapid depletion. The tribunal has also not lifted a ban imposed by it in January prohibiting extraction of groundwater in the twin cities for construction activities or otherwise.

The tribunal has ordered the Noida and Greater Noida authorities to issue closure orders to 34 industries. "In the affidavit, it has been specifically stated that these units besides being polluting units, are also exploiting undergroundwater. This apparently results in water scarcity," the bench has observed in the order.

The order further states that "all these units shall stop operations forthwith and shall not carry on activities of packaging drinking water by using underground water and without consent of the pollution control board".