In a directive to the Delhi Development Authority, which is also responsible for the distribution of water in Dwarka, Khanna has directed Chief Engineer (Dwarka) S R Solanki to investigate and seal any illegal borewells he comes across.

A senior DDA official said, "The letters that warned the Lieutenant Governor came fortified with photographs. We have identified the sectors where this illegal activity is on -- Sectors 24B, 16D and 18."

The township in Dwarka was born with a severe water scarcity which has made the siphoning a major issue. Of the total demand of 10 million gallons per day (mgd), the Delhi Jal Board supplies only 2.8 mgd and the rest is supposed to be managed by the DDA through tubewells dug in the area. "We are able to supply only 1 mgd of the 7.2 mgd required to residents," an official of the Dwarka Zone told Newsline. This means Dwarka is short of 6.2 million gallons every day. For residents, the water tankers are the only hope.

Residents said the mafia holds sway from Delhi and Haryana (Gurgaon region) but has taken into confidence local politicians and DDA officials in Dwarka. The loot runs into lakhs per day, they said.

The letters sent to the L-G also mentions that all concerned DDA and DJB officials are in the know of this nexus. When Newsline contacted DDA Chief engineer S R Solanki, he refused to comment on this illegal mining of water.