DJB finds over 200 illegal borewells in central Delhi

Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has discovered that 246 hotels in the Karol Bagh-Paharganj area of Delhi have been extracting groundwater illegally. As a result, the board plans to shut down all borewells to prevent further illegal extraction. The inspections were carried out in response to a petition filed in April by water activist Varun Gulati. Hotel owners argue that they are forced to drill borewells due to water shortages. The Delhi government is working on installing 500 tubewells to increase water production.