New Delhi: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has informed National Green Tribunal that over Rs 70 crore in environmental compensation has been levied on illegal groundwater extraction in the city so far. The funds are proposed to be used for rejuvenation of water bodies across the capital.A local had sent a petition in the tribunal in 2023 complaining that water is being illegally extracted through a borewell for construction of a house in Delhi’s Brahampuri. Though the borewell was sealed, a miscellaneous application was filed this year in the matter. The tribunal was informed that an environmental compensation of Rs 35,064 was imposed on the violator.In Jan this year, NGT directed DPCC to “prepare an action plan in consultation with district wetland committee/state wetland authority for rejuvenation of water bodies in Delhi and to utilise the amount of environmental compensation deposited in the present case within six months.”The report dated March 17 said,”The EC funds will be allocated to the restoration of waterbodies that are not restored under the Gramodaya scheme. The expenditure shall be in accordance with the area of the waterbody and in accordance with the guidelines of the govt of India”.
