The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to a significant issue faced by the city of Faridabad, which is unauthorized water and sewer connections, leading to substantial revenue losses to the authorities.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item dated 21.05.2024.
Around 60% of the water and sewer connections in the city are reportedly unauthorized, with a majority of these illegal connections found in slum clusters, densely populated colonies, and villages within the civic limits. Despite the Faridabad Municipal Corporation’s (MCF) efforts to regularize these connections, the problem persists due to various challenges, including the lack of ownership details, shortage of field staff, and alleged irregularities in updating records.
As per the news article, the presence of private water supply mafia, exploiting the city’s water supply sources and network, has exacerbated the issue, leading to water shortages in many areas, especially during the summer months. Faridabad is currently receiving between 300 and 325 million litres per day (MLD) of water against a demand of 450 MLD, according to authorities.
The financial implications of these unauthorized connections are significant. While the annual revenue generated from water and sewer connections is around Rs 12 crore, officials estimate that this figure could potentially reach Rs 40-50 crore if all connections were billed appropriately. To address the problem, the MCF had previously proposed strict measures, including lodging FIRs against offenders and launching a drive to regularize illegal connections. However, these efforts have failed to gain significant momentum due to various reasons, including the lack of property ownership details and the shortage of field staff to conduct surveys or disconnect unauthorised connections.
The above matter indicated Bench violation of the provisions of the provisions of theEnvironment Protection Act, 1986 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava , Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A. Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
i. Haryana Pollution Control Board, through its Member Secretary.
ii. Municipal Corporation, Faridabad, through its Commissioner.
iii. District Commissioner, Faridabad.
The Bench issued notice to the Respondents and listed the matter on 30.09.2024.