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The Holy City has witnessed severe depletion of water table in recent years
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The groundwater at several places of the city has turned saline due to seepage of seawater
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Many hoteliers have been lifting groundwater for years violating CRZ norms
Puri: The Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO) has served notices on 55 hotels located within 300 metres of the beach in the Baliapanda and Chakratirtha areas of the city for illegal extraction of groundwater.
The hotels have been directed to seal their borewells within seven days of receiving the notice. “PHEO officials and police will take steps to seal the borewells of the hotels if their owners do not comply. The hoteliers can file an appeal with the Collector,” said the notice.
According to sources, the Holy City has witnessed severe depletion of water table in recent years. The groundwater at several places of the city has turned saline due to seepage of seawater.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms have put restrictions on extracting groundwater within 200 metres from the beach. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Central Groundwater Board had also written to the district administration and the Puri-Konark Development Authority (PKDA) asking them to regulate the mining of groundwater, sources said.
However, many hoteliers have been lifting groundwater for years violating CRZ norms. Expressing concern over the issue, revenue divisional commissioner (central) DV Swamy directed the Collector to take action against the hoteliers, sources added. Subsequently, the PHEO identified 59 hotels who were illegally extracting groundwater.
