Use the groundwater extracted in Noida at sites elsewhere: Activists

NOIDA: Residents of 7x sectors in Noida and Noida Extension have appealed to the Noida and Greater Noida authorities to ask builders to prevent wastage of groundwater extracted at construction sites. Residents claimed that project sites in Noida Extension often dewater the aquifers (underground layers of water-bearing rock) over long periods of time and this water is discharged into drains.

“At one site, we have been observing continuous dewatering and it is going straight into the drain. Why is there no system in place so that the extracted groundwater is used for watering plants or reused for recharging the water table at a different location?” questioned Amit Gupta, a resident. Gupta made a written appeal to Noida Authority on Monday.

The same complaint has been raised by Noida Extension residents. “All construction in Noida Extension is dependent on groundwater, but water wastage is also common in the area. We want the authorities concerned to take cognisance,” Manish Kumar, vice-president of Noida Extension Flat Owners Welfare Association, said.

Conservationists have demanded that the groundwater dewatering issue be addressed immediately. “In construction of some malls, we have seen water being drained for months to dry up the aquifer. This water should be used to recharge the groundwater again by making a pit or used for watering green belts and plants,” Vikrant Tongad, a Greater Noida-based environmentalist, said.

Meanwhile, a member of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) said, “Most builders are conscious about the usage of groundwater these days and there is a restriction on groundwater extraction on site as well. If one or two people are seen to be violating some rules, it cannot be generalised for all.”