07-05-2025
Groundwater Rules Tightened For Industries & Flats: CGWA Tells HC
Nagpur: Groundwater rules have been tightened for industries and apartments, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) said in an affidavit submitted to the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. This submission follows a Rs5,000 cost imposed on the affidavit informs that it is now mandatory for all new and existing industries, infrastructure and mining projects, and residential apartment complexes in urban areas to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) before extracting groundwater, unless explicitly exempted. This requirement follows a 2020 notification issued by the ministry of Jal CGWA, operating under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, filed its response to a PIL submitted by city-based petitioner Sandesh Singalkar through counsel Smita Sarode Singalkar. The PIL raises concerns over unregulated groundwater extraction and contamination across affidavit, affirmed by the head of office at CGWA's Central Region, outlines the steps taken to regulate groundwater extraction and ensure recharge. It also provides an updated assessment of groundwater levels and quality in the city over the past two to the affidavit, CGWA monitors groundwater levels in Nagpur from 81 stations four times a year. During the pre-monsoon season of May 2023, the water levels ranged between 1.82 to 13.3 metres below ground level (mbgl), with 58% of the city showing water depths of 2-5 mbgl. In 2024, the levels remained largely similar, with shallow depths (<5 mbgl) observed in 42% of the the post-monsoon season (Nov 2023), the levels ranged from 0.3 to 9.95 mbgl, improving significantly due to rainfall. The Nov 2024 readings were also encouraging, with 98% of the city having groundwater levels shallower than 5 seasonal fluctuation between pre and post-monsoon periods in 2023 showed an average rise of 2.03m, while the average rise in 2024 was around CGWA also tested 57 groundwater samples in May 2023 for 14 key parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, major cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium), and anions (carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulphates, nitrates, and fluoride). The water was found to be neutral to mildly alkaline (pH 7.1–8.2), with most samples suitable for drinking purposes as per BIS address depletion and contamination, CGWA submitted a list of steps taken to avoid pollution of groundwater sources and promote artificial recharge. These include the construction of recharge pits and the implementation of water harvesting affidavit was filed in compliance with the court's directive dated March 26, 2025, asking for details on groundwater status, contamination prevention, and recharge efforts in Nagpur.
