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Time of India
07-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
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.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC fines CGWA ₹5,000 for non-compliance in groundwater PIL
Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday imposed a cost of ₹5,000 on the regional director of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) for failing to comply with its earlier directives in connection with a PIL pertaining to groundwater conservation in the city. The penalty was imposed during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by retired armed forces officer Sandesh Singalkar, who raised concerns about the alarming depletion of groundwater levels in Nagpur and the inadequate conservation efforts by the authorities. During the proceedings, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) informed the court that it is still awaiting a time-bound action plan from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to address deficiencies observed in solid waste management. MPCB's counsel, Ravi Sanyal, submitted that these directions were issued following a personal hearing held on August 20, 2024, and were subsequently communicated to the NMC on March 28, 2025. However, the civic body has not responded to date. Reports published by TOI on July 14 and August 4, 2024, had highlighted the gross neglect of Nagpur's centuries-old wells. Citing a survey conducted by NEERI, the reports revealed that 13 wells had completely dried up, while 443 others, though still containing water, were being used as garbage dumping sites. In response, the NMC allocated ₹1.52 crore for the cleaning and rejuvenation of 446 public wells across the city. The MPCB also stated that it had recently conducted fresh water sampling from wells across multiple city locations, and the samples are currently undergoing analysis in its laboratory. Upon receiving the test results, appropriate instructions will be issued to the NMC. The board further informed the court that a detailed mapping of the city's wells had been carried out and placed on record, and it reserved the right to file a comprehensive affidavit at a later stage. The PIL, filed through advocate Smita Sarode Singalkar, underscored the broader environmental and societal consequences of groundwater depletion. It emphasized that declining groundwater levels pose a serious threat to public health, exacerbate climate change, and intensify water scarcity. The petition referenced NEERI's study, "Mapping the Wells of Nagpur City," which documented widespread well desiccation and the misuse of these structures for the dumping of unsegregated solid waste.
