Delhi govt launches drive against illegal water units

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Tuesday launched a drive with an aim to seal illegal water bottling plants in the national capital and nab their operators.

As part of the drive, coordinated between the Delhi Jal Board and the Divisional Commissioner's office, two such units operating in Sitapuri and Uttam Nagar were sealed by Tuesday evening, Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said.

"We sealed two illegal units and arrested as many people. The Delhi Government will not tolerate any water mafia in the city. We have initiated strong proceedings against the violators and charged them under the Environment Protection Act (EPA)," Mishra said.

Under the Section 15 of the EPA of 1986, contravention is punishable with imprisonment for upto five years, with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or both. Crackdown on "water mafia" is one of the key poll promises of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.