Ecovillage-2 Fined ₹7.48 Cr Over Contaminated Water

Around five months after hundreds of residents at Supertech Ecovillage-2 in Greater Noida West fell ill after drinking contaminated water, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has held the project proponent accountable for the public health crisis, and has imposed an environmental compensation of ₹7.48 crore for violations of norms, including the unauthorized discharge of sewage, and the failure to maintain water quality.

- Maria Khan

GREATER NOIDA:

On September 3, 2024, nearly 300 residents—including 170 children—fell sick, complaining of health issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fever. Media reports at that time had stated that the society's water supply was contaminated with excessive levels of coliform bacteria and E. coli. The complex has around 8,500 residents.

According to experts, excessive coliform levels can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, which can escalate to jaundice or even organ damage.

On the basis of a media report, NGT initiated a suo motu probe into the matter. In an order dated January 20, but shared online later, the green court bench—comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member Dr. A Senthil Vel—directed the Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate to recover the environmental compensation within three months.

"If there is no legal impediment in this regard."