Illegal Dewatering Allegations at Microsoft India Construction Site in Noida Trigger Environmental Concerns
- NATURE NOIDA LIFE
Life&More- 0
- 4 minutes read
Team L&M
Construction work is currently underway at Microsoft India’s project site in Sector 145, Noida.
Reports indicate that large-scale de-watering and excessive extraction of groundwater are taking place at the site.
Workers have installed several dozen borewells, through which they are pumping out fresh groundwater and discharging it into drains, causing severe wastage and potential water pollution. Allegations also suggest that they are using groundwater directly for construction purposes.
This continuous extraction of groundwater is happening. Noida is already facing a critical groundwater crisis. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also prohibited such de-watering practices in its earlier orders.
“The day before yesterday, after receiving information about this issue from a concerned citizen, we immediately filed a formal complaint with the Noida Authority and other relevant departments,” says Environment Conservationist Vikrant Tongad.
“Subsequently, the Noida Authority informed us that they had issued a notice to stop the de-watering activity. However, when our team visited the site, de-watering was still continuing,” he adds.
To ensure strict action, Tongad has now submitted a complaint to the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Central Ground Water Board), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the District Magistrate (Noida), and the U.P. Ground Water Department.
“An immediate intervention is a must to stop the illegal extraction of groundwater and to impose appropriate fines and environmental compensation as per law for the wastage already caused,” says Tongad, adding that development must go hand in hand with the protection of natural resources. “Carry out all construction activities strictly in accordance with environmental laws and regulations.,” he says.
