Allowed

News Item Titled After Bengaluru Water Crisis Hits Kolkata City as Ground Water Level Depletes in Many Areas Residents Express Concern Appearing in India Com Dated 22 04 2024 v. West Bengal Pollution Control Board

NGT1 Jul 2025Original Application No. 137/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Tribunal disposed of a suo motu application regarding a reported water crisis in Kolkata. Finding that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had addressed the status and timelines for water projects via affidavits, the Tribunal directed the corporation to adhere to the stated completion deadlines.

What did the court decide?

Direction to complete water supply projects by December 2025 and March 2026 and file an affidavit of compliance.

News Item Titled After Bengaluru Water Crisis Hits… — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2025)

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Item No.10

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Court No.1

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL EASTERN ZONE BENCH, KOLKATA

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(THROUGH PHYSICAL HEARING WITH HYBRID MODE)

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Original Application No.137/2024/EZ

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(Earlier O.A. No.608/2024/PB)

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In the matter of:

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News Item titled “After Bengaluru, Water Crisis Hits Kolkata City As Ground Water Level depletes In Many Areas, Residents Express Concern” appearing In India.com dated 22.04.2024

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…. Applicant(s)

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Versus

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1. West Bengal State Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary, Paribesh Bhawan,

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10A, Block-LA, Sector-III,

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Bidhannagar,

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Kolkata – 700106

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2. Central Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary, Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi – 110032

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3. Central Ground Water Board, Through its Chairman, Bhujal Bhawan, NH-IV, Faridabad – 121001

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4. Municipal Commissioner, Kolkata, 5, S. N. Banerjee Road, Kolkata – 700013

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5. State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID), impleaded vide Nirman Bhaban, order dt.26.07.2024 3^rd Floor, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700091

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…. Respondent(s)

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Date of hearing: 01.07.2025

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B. AMIT STHALEKAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR. ARUN KUMAR VERMA, EXPERT MEMBER

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For Applicant(s) : Suo Motu

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For Respondent(s) : Mr. Dipanjan Ghosh, Adv. for R-1, Mr. Rajib Ray, Adv. for R-2 (in Virtual Mode), Mr. Ashok Prasad, Adv. for R-3, Mr. Sibojyoti Chakrabarti, Adv. for R-4,

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¶25

Mr. Sudip Kumar Dutta, Adv. for R-5

¶26

ORDER

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The Original Application No. 608/2024/PB was registered suo motu by the New Delhi Bench of National Green Tribunal on the basis of news item titled “After Bengaluru, Water Crisis Hits Kolkata City As Ground Water Level Depletes In Many Areas, Residents Express Concern” appeared in India.com dated 22.04.2024. Thereafter, vide order dated 28.05.2024 the case has been transferred to the Eastern Zone Bench of National Green Tribunal, Kolkata and re-numbered as Original Application No. 137/2024/EZ.

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Affidavit dated 04.12.2024 has been filed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (K.M.C.) stating therein that State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID) has reported that water table of Kolkata is regularly increasing from year 2018 to 2022 during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season and that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has taken initiative to extend piped water supply to the remaining city populations as well as distribution segment of water supply system and tentatively 5 years time is required for this purpose.

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However, subsequently, another affidavit dated 06.02.2025 has been filed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (K.M.C.) wherein it is stated that about 5 lakh premises have been provided with piped water connection as of now which is about 98% of the city population. It is further stated that with regard to the Design, Construction, Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance for 60 months for 20 Million Gallons per Day (‘MGD’ for short) capacity Water Treatment Plant (‘WTP’ for short) with 5.0 MG capacity Clear

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¶31

Water Reservoir (‘CWR’ for short) cum Pump House including 1.5 MG capacity Raw Water (‘RW’ for short) sump cum Pump House and Sludge Handling System with Centrifuge at Jai Hind Jal Prakalpa Complex on Turnkey basis, details of timeline have been given in para 4 which are as under :-

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Date: Opening : 26.01.2021 LoI : 28.11.2022 Time : 27 months Expected : December, 2025

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In para 5 of the affidavit, it is further stated that the Design, Construction, Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance for 60 months for 10 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) capacity Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with 5.0 MG capacity Clear Water Reservoir (CWR) cum Pump House including 1.5 MG capacity Raw Water (RW) sump cum Pump House and Sludge Handling System with Centrifuge on EM Bypass near the junction of Garia Station Road on Turnkey basis and details of timeline are given in the said paragraph which read as under :-

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Date: Opening : 12.10.2023 LoI : 19.02.2024 Time : 27 months Expected : March, 2026

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In para 6 of the affidavit, the Ward number-wise water supply for the City of Kolkata has also been given which are extracted hereinbelow :-

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*“Ward*	*Existing Pipe Line for Supply of Water*	*Nature of Supply*
*Number*
1	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
2	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
3	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply

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¶38

4	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
5	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
6	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
7	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
8	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
9	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
10	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
11	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
12	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
13	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
14	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
15	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
16	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
17	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
18	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
19	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
20	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
21	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
22	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
23	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
24	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
25	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
26	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
27	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
28	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
29	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
30	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
31	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
32	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
33	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
34	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
35	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
36	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
37	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
38	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
39	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
40	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
41	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
42	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
43	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
44	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
45	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
46	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply

¶39

¶40

47	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
48	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
49	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
50	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
51	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
52	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
53	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
54	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
55	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
56	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
57	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
58	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
59	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
60	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
61	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
62	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
63	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
64	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
65	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
66	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
67	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
68	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
69	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
70	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
71	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
72	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
73	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
74	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
75	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
76	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
77	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
78	95% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
79	85% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
80	85% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
81	92% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
82	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
83	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
84	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
85	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
86	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
87	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
88	95% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
89	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply

¶41

¶42

90	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
91	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
92	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
93	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
94	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
95	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
96	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
97	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
98	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
99	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
100	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
101	99% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
102	99% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
103	99% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Filtered water supply
104	96% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
105	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
106	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
107	97% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
108	80% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
109	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
110	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
111	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
112	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
113	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
114	98% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
115	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
116	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
117	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
118	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
119	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
120	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
121	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
122	90% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
123	95% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
124	89% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
125	91% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
126	90% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
127	65% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
128	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
129	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
130	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
131	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
132	100% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply

¶43

¶44

133	95% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
134	93% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
135	95% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
136	90% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
137	97% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
138	95% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Surface water supply
139	85% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
140	85% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
141	85% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
142	85% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
143	90% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply
144	92% covered by Water Supply Pipe Network	Mixed water supply

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In this view of the matter, nothing further remains for adjudication.

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We dispose of this Original Application with a direction to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to complete the project for supply of piped drinking water within the timeline of December, 2025 as mentioned in para 4 of the affidavit and March, 2026 as mentioned in para 5 of the affidavit.

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The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (K.M.C.) shall also file affidavit of compliance by 15.04.2026 .

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There shall be no order as to costs.

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B. Amit Sthalekar, JM

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….......................................... Dr. Arun Kumar Verma, EM

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July 01, 2025, Original Application No.137/2024/EZ (Earlier O.A. No.608/2024/PB) SKB

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News Item Titled After Bengaluru Water Crisis Hits Kolkata City as Ground Water Level Depletes in Many Areas Residents Express Concern Appearing in India Com Dated 22 04 2024 v. West Bengal Pollution Control Board

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

News Item Titled After Bengaluru Water Crisis Hits Kolkata City as Ground Water Level Depletes in Many Areas Residents Express Concern Appearing in India Com Dated 22 04 2024 v. West Bengal Pollution Control Board

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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Issues for consideration

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