Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has summoned the Assam government and several agencies over claims of illegal groundwater drilling in Guwahati.
A petition brought by Milan Kanti Das and others flagged unpermitted extraction in Barshapara, citing possible environmental harm and rule violations.
The tribunal’s Eastern Zone Bench, with Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Merriber Ishwar Singh, asked the authorities to respond within four weeks. A follow-up hearing is planned for May 8.
Officials named include representatives from the Public Health Engineering Department, the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration, the Central Ground Water Board, and the Barshapara No. 1 water management committee.
The petitioners presented information from the Right to Information Act suggesting that no formal permission was granted for groundwater use in the area.
They also claimed that multiple borewells have been operating without approval, extracting water for long periods each day.
Barshapara is considered a zone facing water stress, and over-extraction has reportedly caused groundwater levels to fall, affecting local water availability.
The applicants added that some water is being sold commercially instead of being supplied solely for drinking, and that no strict monitoring or enforcement has been implemented.
Recognizing the environmental concerns raised, the tribunal accepted the petition for detailed consideration in upcoming proceedings.