Rainwater harvesting: NGT slaps fine on four builders

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped fines on four Delhibased real estate developers after it was found that the rainwater harvesting system installed in their premises was not functional.

A bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim imposed an environment compensation of Rs three lakh each on the builders after perusing the inspection report filed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

During the proceedings, DPCC told the tribunal that some of the builders have removed the deficiencies pointed out to them and rectified the problem in their rainwater harvesting structure. "We are satisfied that as of now the notices appear to be the compliant unit. However, for the violation, they have committed, compensation has to be imposed. Thus, the amount of compensation payable by the notices...shall be Rs 3 lakh each and it shall be deposited within three weeks," the bench said.

The green panel also issued notices to the Managing Directors of Naman Builders Ltd and Brightways Housing and Land Development Pvt Ltd asking them to appear before on October 12, the next date of hearing. Taking several hospitals, malls and hotels here to task for not complying with its orders on rainwater harvesting, the NGT had last year imposed fines and issued warrants to many of them for not installing these systems.

The green panel was hearing a plea by environmentalist Vikrant Kumar Tongad who had sought directions to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to "install proper rainwater harvesting system" on all its existing, proposed and underconstruction metro stations, tracks and depots.