Rs 2 lakh fine imposed on 14 builders for violating NGT norms by Greater Noida Authority

14 builders fined of Rs 2 lakhs each for violating STP effluent norms as per National Green Tribunal(NGT) guidelines by sewage treatment plant (STP) department of Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority(GNIDA).

The action came after a team of authority officials conducted inspection of the societies and found irregularities. Fines have to be submitted within one week, otherwise an additional fine of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh will be imposed.

Some of these highrise buildings include M/s Supertech Ecovillage II sector 16 B, M/s Gaur City 1 main gate sector 16 C, Panchsheel Hyanish, Ace Aspire GH-2 Tech Zone IV, Arihant Arden, Panchsheel Green, Aarcity Regency, Omkar Nest, Satrland Craft Pvt Ltd, Gaursons Promoters and Ajay Enterprises Pvt Ltd.

“After this, if these societies do not stop draining untreated water from their STPs then a fine of Rs 5 lakh will be levied, with subsequent fine of Rs 10 lakh for the third violation,” said Narendra Bhooshan, CEO, GNIDA.

As per NGT guidelines, only treated sewer water can be discharged into drain. Sewer water contains high faecal coliform and is dangerous if not treated through STPs.

However, due to high cost of operation and maintenance of STPs, none of the builders is treating the sewer water and instead dropping it directly into the drains. “Electricity, along with chlorine and polymer, is required to run the STP which is costly hence no society/builder apartment runs a functional STP. This not only leads to groundwater contamination, but also makes water unusable for irrigation and other watering purposes,” said a source in GNIDA.

As per GNIDA terms of allotment, every society has to ensure its own functional STP. Only treated water is allowed to be drained into sewers in Greater Noida.