The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has imposed interim environmental compensation of Rs 5 million each on the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for failing to properly maintain rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems, which has resulted in groundwater contamination.

The penalty was conveyed to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which is hearing multiple petitions concerning groundwater pollution in various parts of Delhi, including residential societies in Dwarka. The NGT had earlier raised concerns over RWH systems constructed near stormwater drains, which were reportedly allowing sewage to seep into the groundwater table.

In a report dated 1 September, the DPCC stated it had inspected the condition of RWH systems managed by both civic agencies. Out of 1,715 RWH systems installed by the MCD, 29 sites were inspected, with violations noted at several locations. Similarly, the DDA had submitted a list of 649 RWH systems, of which 30 were examined, again revealing non-compliance at multiple sites.

The DPCC added that both the DDA and MCD had previously been served showcause notices, demanding immediate corrective measures. However, the inspections confirmed that no substantial action had been taken.

“As decided by the competent authority in the DPCC, interim environmental compensation of Rs 5 million has been imposed on both the DDA and the MCD for causing environmental damage by polluting the groundwater through improperly maintained rainwater harvesting systems,” the report stated.