The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that Gurugram faces a persistent shortage of potable water, with groundwater levels falling for decades because of indiscriminate use of borewells. It has asked all parties to submit written suggestions on remedial measures.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor said that unless appropriate and effective measures are "pursued aggressively", the situation is likely to remain grim. It noted that continued urbanisation and population growth appear inevitable, given Gurugram's proximity to the National Capital.

The Bench was hearing a batch of writ petitions, the oldest filed in 2007. Referring to the material placed on record over time, it observed, "that Gurugram has been facing a persistent water crisis due to the non-availability of potable water. The indiscriminate use of borewells has resulted in a continuous depletion of groundwater levels over several decades. Further, the existing natural water bodies have substantially diminished, while the channels that sustained these water bodies remain largely blocked."

It also noted that, "It has also been observed in the recent past that Gurugram is facing severe waterlogging during the monsoon season, however, the rainwater so accumulated is not being effectively utilized for the purpose of replenishing the depleting groundwater levels."

There is also an issue with regard to proper utilization of treated water with effective utilization of sewage treatment plants. Unless appropriate and effective measures are pursued aggressively, the situation is likely to remain grim, particularly as continued urbanization and population growth appear inevitable, given Gurugram's proximity to the National Capital, added the Court.

On the previous date, 19.08.2026, the Court had called for an affidavit from the Central Ground Water Authority, Ministry of Water Resources, which has now been filed.

After hearing the parties, the Court recorded that all counsel had agreed to submit written suggestions on the remedial measures needed to the Bench Secretary on 28.09.2026, with copies to the State's counsel, Additional Advocate General Deepak Balyan.

The State counsel must obtain specific instructions from the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, and the heads of all concerned State departments by the next date.

The Court directed the following officers to join the next hearing by video conferencing, the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, the heads of the departments concerned with the issues who are parties to the petitions, the Chief Engineer, Municipal Corporation, Gurugram

The officers-in-charge of the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority

The matter is listed on 01.10.2026.

Case Title: Sunil Singh v. Ministry of Environment & Forests and Others (and connected matters)

Counsel: Nivedita Sharma, Shehbaz Thind, Gurpreet Singh and Pooja for the petitioners in CWP-20032-2008 and CWP-13594-2009; Arun Gosain, Senior Government Counsel, for the Union of India; Deepak Balyan, Additional AG, Haryana; Randeep Rai, Senior Advocate, for respondent No. 3; Amit Jhanji, Senior Advocate, for respondent No. 9 (REDCO); Anand Chhibbar, Senior Advocate, for respondent No. 7 (RWA, DLF City); Abhilaksh Grover, Additional Standing Counsel, for U.T. Chandigarh; Deepak Sabherwal for HSVP; and others

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