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seeks suggestions to tackle Gurugram water crisis
In a move to address the chronic water woes of Gurugram, the has directed all parties to submit written suggestions on as the city grapples with falling groundwater levels and ineffective rainwater capture. A comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor made the observation while hearing a batch of , the oldest dating back to 2007.
The Grim Reality The court noted that Gurugram faces a "persistent water crisis" due to the non-availability of potable water. Indiscriminate use of borewells has led to a continuous depletion of groundwater over decades. Natural water bodies have shrunk, and the channels that sustained them remain largely blocked. The Bench also flagged that monsoon waterlogging is severe, yet the accumulated rainwater is not being used to replenish aquifers. There is also a failure to effectively utilize treated water from sewage treatment plants.
Court's Directive After hearing counsel, the court recorded that all lawyers would submit written suggestions to the Bench Secretary by , with copies to Haryana's . The State counsel must obtain specific instructions from the , and heads of all concerned departments by the next date. The court also directed the Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Engineer of the , and officers-in-charge of and the to join the next hearing via video conferencing.
Key Observations
The Bench remarked:
"Unless appropriate and effective measures are pursued aggressively, the situation is likely to remain grim, particularly as continued urbanization and population growth appear inevitable, given Gurugram's proximity to the National Capital."
Earlier, on
, the court had called for an
from the
, which has since been filed.
What's Next The matter is listed for hearing on . The court expects concrete proposals from all stakeholders to mitigate the crisis. With the city's growth showing no signs of slowing, the urgency of a sustainable water management plan has never been clearer.
