Delhi authorities have informed the National Green Tribunal that the ongoing operation to seal illegal borewells at hotels and guesthouses in the Paharganj area will continue.

The green panel had previously requested reports from several authorities, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the district magistrate of central Delhi, regarding illegal groundwater extraction by 536 hotels and guesthouses in the area.

During a hearing last month, the tribunal acknowledged the authorities' stance that these establishments were operating after disclosing their borewells under the Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS).

“Prima facie it appears that some kind of scam is going on where, though no VDS is available with the authorities, no authority knows who had framed the VDS and no one has a copy of the VDS. Yet, the authorities are extending the concessions based on VDS. We expect the chief secretary of the GNCTD (Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi) to inquire about this issue,” the tribunal had observed.

The tribunal also requested a report on sealing the borewells of hotels that either failed to pay environmental damage charges or did not apply for the necessary permissions. A status report filed by the Karol Bagh subdivisional magistrate indicated that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had sent a letter on November 6 regarding 30 hotels and guesthouses not complying with the tribunal’s directives. Additionally, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) provided details of 21 hotels and guesthouses that had made partial payments of the required charges.

“That a team consisting of the revenue department, Delhi Police, DPCC, DJB and BSES has been formed to seal the illegal borewells,” the status report dated November 12 said.