Delhi: NGT fines hotels, malls and hospitals over rainwater harvesting

New Delhi: Worried over depleting groundwater levels in the national capital, National Green Tribunal on Monday imposed hefty fines on five-star hotels, malls and hospitals for not installing proper rainwater harvesting systems in their premises. [caption id=“attachment_2238846” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] A bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, said these units have even not “cared” to take the steps to install rainwater harvesting systems even after several reminders. “Do you even know the depletion level of the groundwater in Delhi? You have a responsibility towards society,” the bench, which was not satisfied with functioning of rainwater harvesting systems, said. The green panel imposed a fine of Rs 7.50 lakh each on Jaypee Siddharth, Piccadily Hotel while Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd (Indus Hotels & Spa) was imposed Rs 5 lakh. The Tribunal also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh each on hospitals – B M Gupta Hospital Pvt Ltd, Indraprastha Medical Corporation Ltd (Apollo Hospital) Santom Hospital, and Jaipur Golden Hospital– while Holy Family hospital was imposed Rs 3 lakh. Among the malls and commercial complexes, Laxmi Buildtech Pvt. Ltd and Lifestyle Builders Pvt Ltd was imposed 5 lakh each while Upaj Buildcon Pvt Ltd was imposed Rs 3 lakh as fine. Slamming the hotels and hospitals for drawing ground water without permission from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), the bench directed them to obtain the requisite consent from the board. The Tribunal also issued bailable warrants against Aman Hospitality (Kempinski Ambience) and Ibis Hotel for their non-appearance despite notices being served to them. The directions came after a joint inspection status report, submitted by Delhi Pollution Control Committee, said a number of five-star hotels, malls and hospitals are not compliant with the rainwater harvesting systems and in a number of cases where they have been provided, they are not satisfactorily operational. The Tribunal had earlier issued notice to–Asian Hotels Ltd (Hyatt Regency), Hotel Excelsior (Shangri-La) Jaypee Siddharth, Piccadily Hotel, Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd (Indus Hotels & Spa), Aman Hospitality (Kempinski Ambience), Eros Resorts & Hotels Pvt Ltd (Double Tree by Hilton), Eros Resorts & Hotels Pvt Ltd (Hilton) and Ibis Hotel. PTI