The Water Resources Department (WRD) has taken decisive action against Gangareddy Infra Pvt Ltd, a Hyderabad-registered company, for illegally drilling 13 borewells at its project site in Morjim, Goa. This action follows the company’s failure to obtain necessary permissions under the Goa Ground Water Regulation Act, 2002, and Rules, 2003.
In a stern communication, the WRD officials stated, “The drilling of 13 borewells without prior approval constitutes a serious violation.” They emphasized that the company’s response to the show-cause notice was deemed unsatisfactory, prompting the sealing of all unauthorized borewells at the site. An assistant engineer from WRD, speaking to reporters on site, confirmed the enforcement action, noting, “We had originally granted permission for three borewells. However, upon inspection, it was discovered that the company had exceeded this limit and was abstracting water illegally for construction purposes.
“The show-cause notice issued earlier this year highlighted that the borewells, initially registered for horticultural use, were being misused for unauthorized water extraction. This contravenes specific sections of the Goa Ground Water Regulation Act and corresponding rules. Executive Engineer Nazareth Vaz, in the notice, raised concerns over the illegal abstraction of water and proposed stringent measures including the closure of borewells and imposition of penalties. The notice warned that failure to comply could result in additional financial liabilities for the company.
Moving forward, the WRD has mandated a thorough compliance review of all borewell operations, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to regulatory frameworks aimed at safeguarding groundwater resources. This incident underscores the importance of stringent regulatory oversight in managing water resources amidst ongoing developmental activities. The WRD’s action aligns with its commitment to uphold environmental regulations and ensure sustainable resource management across Goa’s diverse landscapes. This analytical report reflects the stringent measures taken by regulatory bodies to enforce environmental laws, safeguarding natural resources from unauthorized exploitation.
