Gurugram civic body seals 163 borewells in two days

Gurugram, July 27 (IANS) To check the depleting groundwater level, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has sealed 163 borewells in the city. The drive was launched on Thursday.

"We constituted 24 teams to conduct surprise raids and expected to seal 20 borewells in each of the eight zones. But we have found and sealed 163 borewells," said Amit Khatri, MCG commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram.

The city gets water through treatment plants in Basai and Chandu Budhera. But in several areas and high-end residential societies water is extracted through borewells.

According to B.N. Lal, a water conservation expert, the water mafia is also active in the city. They extract water through borewells and supply it in tankers for money.

Due to continuous extraction, the ground water level has depleted up to 500 meters in areas, like the DLF city, South City, Sector 55, Golf Course road and the Sohna road.

The situation in summer worsens. Around 600 mm rainfall every year is required to recharge ground water. "But that's not happening," Lal said.

Lack of planning and rain water conservation make the situation worse. "As per the ground water recharge theory, every road should be slanted towards parks or nearby ponds. But most rain water flows into drains and goes waste," he said.

As the large number of localities are unauthorised, and lack proper water supply, borewells are dug to meet water needs.

"During the drive, we faced stiff resistance in Kanhai village, Jal Vihar and Sarai Alawardi. The officials have identified troublemakers and FIRs have been registered in the Sector 50 police station," Khatri said.