DMRC denies unauthorised groundwater extraction near Red Fort

New Delhi: Rubbishing allegations that Delhi Metro is "unauthorisedly" extracting groundwater during construction of an underground station in the Lal Qila area here, DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh said no expert can claim that the work has done any harm to the monument.

"Our construction is being carried out about 200 metres away from it (the monument). No expert has said that the work has done any harm to the monument. Somebody has said (approached the NGT), we will respond to it," Singh said.

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for "unauthorisedly" extracting groundwater during the construction work.

It has been "brought to our notice that because of the construction being undertaken by Delhi Metro, the water bodies near Lal Qila have been damaged and the work is being carried out unauthorisedly," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had said.

The counsel appearing for DMRC is expected to respond within three weeks and the matter is listed for next hearing on October 28.

DMRC is constructing an underground metro station near the monument as part of the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate line extension.

The tribunal was hearing a plea by Vikrant Kumar Tongad seeking directions to DMRC for installation of "proper rainwater harvesting system" on all its existing as well as proposed and under-construction stations, tracks and depots.