In a setback to real-estate developers in Noida and Greater Noida, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday debarred them from excavating ground water for construction or any other further till further orders. A bench headed by NGT chief Justice (retd) Swatanter Kumar has also asked Noida and Greater Noida authorities to take action against the defaulting builders.

The order was issued following a petition filed by Rahul Chaudhary who said there were serious environmental consequences because of extraction of ground water.  The authorities admitted that the ground water level has gone down "tremendously" in the two satellite cities of Delhi. But, was unable to quantify the measurement of water extracted by builders for construction purpose.

The tribunal said that on hearing the applicant and pursuing the documents on record it was fit case for exercising its jurisdiction and passing an interim injunction banning extraction of any underground water by all builders in Noida and Greater Noida.