NGT deadline lapses, Delhi govt yet to notify new borewell policy amid probe into ‘illegal’ groundwater extraction in Paharganj
Nearly a year after the NGT ordered a probe into alleged illegal groundwater extraction by over 500 hotels in Paharganj, the Delhi government has said a Divisional Commissioner-level enquiry is yet to be completed.
Nearly a year after the NGT ordered a probe into illegal groundwater extraction in Paharganj, the Delhi government says the enquiry is still incomplete, though ₹4.32 crore has been recovered as environmental compensation from 441 hotels.
Nearly a year after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a probe into the alleged illegal groundwater extraction in Central Delhi’s Paharganj, involving 536 hotels and guest houses, the Delhi government has informed the Tribunal that a Divisional Commissioner-level enquiry is yet to be completed. The green court has been told that the inquiry is at an advanced stage and is examining possible dereliction of duty by officials.
The Delhi government recently told the Tribunal that the enquiry, being coordinated by the Revenue department with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the Environment department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) , is examining the quantity of groundwater extracted, the loss to the exchequer, and the roles of officers posted in the Paharganj area since 2014-15. The interim details placed on record show that the DPCC has imposed an environmental compensation on 441 hotels and guest houses at Rs 1 lakh per unit, of which Rs 4.32 crore has been recovered, while recovery notices have been issued for the remaining Rs 18 lakh.
This comes as the Delhi government’s new comprehensive borewell and groundwater extraction policy, meant to regulate groundwater extraction in the Capital, remains unnotified, despite the Tribunal having indicated a timeline for its finalisation.
The Capital currently relies on a 2010 notification governing groundwater extraction, which does not mandate universal metering of borewells or prescribe quantity-based charges for groundwater use. Under the existing framework, water meters can be installed only on legally approved borewells cleared by District Level Advisory Committees (DLACs), leaving a majority of borewells outside routine oversight. In an order dated September 10, the NGT noted that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) was in the process of preparing a comprehensive notification on groundwater usage and directed that it be finalised expeditiously, preferably within six weeks — a window that ended late October.
In its latest submissions before the Tribunal filed earlier this month, the DJB said that the notification on a new comprehensive policy is still pending. The agency had said that the new comprehensive borewell policy is at an advanced stage of preparation with the Environment department, and is yet to be finalised or notified
The Board claimed that the Delhi government’s Environment department is the nodal agency responsible for framing, implementing and enforcing groundwater and borewell policies in the city. The DJB clarified that its role is limited to technical and operational support, and that it does not have independent statutory authority to formulate policy or impose penalties.
In Paharganj, groundwater extraction, the DJB has said, is currently being assessed based on water meters installed on borewells only in 22 establishments in the area.
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The limited availability of metered data forms part of a broader regulatory gap flagged by the Tribunal. While the DJB has argued that the absence of meters has meant no revenue loss to the government, the absence of mandatory metering has also made it difficult to independently assess the scale of groundwater extraction, especially in densely packed regions.
While the establishments may not be legally bound to install such meters, there has been an environmental impact of unregulated usage of groundwater. An official Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) assessment released this year showed worsening stress on aquifers linked to groundwater exploitation and boring activities. More than 24% of groundwater samples in the Capital exceeded permissible limits for nitrate, around 10% for lead, and 15.66% exceeded uranium thresholds.
Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Professional Background
Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education.
Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses:
1. The Air Pollution Crisis
"A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure.
"Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR.
"Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter.
2. Enforcement & Regulations
"No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy.
3. Education Policy
"Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025.
"Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation.
Signature Style
Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws.
X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More
