Greater Noida Authority imposes Rs 5 lakh fine on Ajnara Homes society for wasting water

The authority received information about the residents facing a water shortage through social media posts on June 20. “We sent our team to the spot to verify the claims. The team discovered that the motor pump of the society was out of order. The water supplied by the water department was being used for gardening, flushing and housekeeping, whereas there is a clear order from the National Green Tribunal that only STP [sewage treatment plant] water can be used for gardening, flushing and housekeeping,” Sunil Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Greater Noida Authority, said.

Singh said that the social media posts on the water shortage had tarnished the image of the authority. “Due to this, the water department has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on Ajnara Homes society,” he added.

Singh also appealed to the society management to keep the water network in order so that the residents do not have to face a water shortage. “We appeal to use only water purified from STP for gardening, flushing and housekeeping,” he said.

Meanwhile, a resident of Ajnara Homes, Dinesh Pandey, said that around 600 people had fallen sick in the society over the last six months. “They (the management) did not take any action. Recently, we started noticing the influx of several water tankers inside the society day and night. The water used to smell. When we complained, the management informed us that the water supply was not proper,” he alleged.

When contacted, Rajendra Kumaria, the estate manager, Ajnara Homes, told The Indian Express that he would not comment on the action taken by the authorities. “Only 30 per cent of our STPs are not functioning. We were not using water provided by the authorities for other purposes,” he said.