NOIDA: Officials of Noida Authority on Monday held a meeting with realtors to decide the course of action in the cases filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding construction around Okhla Bird Sanctuary and extraction of groundwater at various sites.

The meeting was held following the green tribunal’s August 22 order that directed the Noida and Greater Noida authorities and the Central Ground Water Authority to tell the exact amount of wastage of groundwater in construction. The authorities have to submit the report to the tribunal on September 9.

After the meeting a senior official said notices have been issued to realtors carrying out constructions by extracting groundwater despite the NGT ban. “Twelve realtors have submitted their figures of groundwater usage. We are preparing a detailed report about wastage of groundwater to be submitted to the tribunal,” said an official.

Realtors have blamed the authorities saying lapse on their part has resulted in builders being hauled for groundwater usage and construction around the sanctuary. “The Authority chairman and CEO failed to address matters pertaining to groundwater usage and declaring the eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary. Authority officials have not bothered to convince the tribunal so that the issues can be solved. This delay will impact homebuyers too,” said a leading realtor.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Realtors-get-notice-for-flouting-groundwater-ban/articleshow/22240287.cms