NGT Proposes Draft Rules to Address Water Wastage in Metro Rail Projects

NGT Proposes Draft Rules to Address Water Wastage in Metro Rail Projects

During a hearing on a petition regarding the wastage of water during metro rail construction across various states, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed a joint committee comprising the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), and Metro Rail Corporation to take necessary remedial measures.

The Tribunal has instructed the joint committee to develop essential standard operating procedures (SOPs) for optimal water usage, in addition to mandating the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.

The committee was given a deadline of three months to submit a report on the measures taken.

The NGT instructed that the secretary of MoJS would serve as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. It directed the committee to convene within a week to engage in discussions with relevant authorities and stakeholders, assess the current situation, and develop and implement an action plan for necessary remedial measures.

The case has made all states, including Uttarakhand, a party to it. The construction work on a metro rail in the Uttarakhand capital Dehradun is expected to commence shortly.

In the meantime, during the announcement of the state budget 2023-24, the state’s finance minister Prem Chand Aggarwal allocated Rs. 101 crore for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the Dehradun metro. He further stated that the government is committed to providing a faster transit system.

Dehradun and its neighbouring town Mussoorie face an enduring water shortage, particularly during the peak summer season when tourist activity and temperatures are high. The decline of groundwater levels and natural springs in the capital city and the hill station Mussoorie has been further exacerbated by deforestation and urbanisation.

According to the petitioner, Harpal Singh Rana, the discharge of a significant amount of water during the construction of metro rails in Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai violates the National Water Policy and the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. The National Water Policy is a set of rules formulated by the Union Ministry of Water Resources for the optimal use of water and was last updated in 2012. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a nationwide campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.