New Delhi, April 8: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Delhi Jal Board to install GPS in all water tankers. This directive aims to maintain a comprehensive record of all tankers operating in the city. Additionally, tanker drivers will be required to present documentation during inspections.
The NGT stated, “All types of water tankers, whether transporting groundwater or treated sewage water, must be equipped with GPS.”
In a previous order dated May 28, 2025, the NGT mandated that all commercially supplied water tankers must have GPS systems installed. The tribunal also directed that any illegal extraction of groundwater should lead to the filing of FIRs. Some stakeholders had requested the NGT to exempt tankers carrying treated sewage water from the GPS requirement, arguing against punitive measures.
However, the NGT emphasized that treated sewage water is beneficial for the environment and should be reused, but monitoring is essential. The tribunal noted that without GPS, there is a risk that individuals might illegally transport groundwater under the guise of delivering treated sewage water. Thus, a GPS system is crucial for effective oversight.
The issue arose when Preetipal Sharma filed an interim application accusing an individual of installing a borewell without the Delhi Jal Board’s permission. The complaint alleged that the individual was extracting groundwater for commercial purposes without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Ground Water Authority, supplying it to residents in Aaya Nagar and beyond via water tankers. The tribunal formed a committee to verify the facts and report back within a month. This committee later submitted its findings in compliance with the tribunal’s orders.
After hearings on various dates, the tribunal issued directives stating that only GPS-equipped tankers would be allowed for commercial water supply in Delhi, and FIRs would be filed for illegal groundwater extraction.
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Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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