Govt tells industries, builders to register for groundwater use
In a significant move to curb the unchecked exploitation of groundwater, the Himachal Pradesh Ground Water Authority has mandated all commercial and industrial users to register by June 30, failing which they will face punitive action.
The directive comes amid concerns over indiscriminate groundwater extraction by industries in areas like Nalagarh, Paonta Sahib and Una, where multiple borewells have been dug in close proximity. These establishments draw substantial volumes of water daily, risking over-exploitation of this vital resource.
A similar trend is emerging in housing colonies around Kumarhatti, where developers, under the guise of domestic users, extract thousands of litres of water daily to cater to multiple flats. These builders often bypass registration norms, misrepresenting their usage while heavily depleting the groundwater table.
Currently, monitoring of groundwater levels by state and central agencies is limited to officially notified areas, leaving several upcoming commercial and residential estates unchecked. Residents have raised alarms over the growing need to expand monitoring to these zones, especially as real estate developers allegedly obtain NOCs from panchayat representatives without proper scrutiny, further straining public water supply schemes.
To prevent excessive water withdrawal, industries and infrastructure projects are required to submit an Impact Assessment Report prepared by accredited consultants and in consultation with a senior hydrogeologist. This regulation applies particularly to regions where groundwater is rated as critical or vulnerable. However, enforcement remains lax.
“Though areas like Paonta Sahib and Nalagarh recorded high groundwater exploitation in recent years, the 2023 report indicates a notable improvement in water levels,” said Sumit Sood, Executive Engineer, HP Ground Water Authority, Shimla. He stressed the importance of capping the upper limit of groundwater extraction for commercial users and said the matter is under review by the state government.
The final deadline for registration is June 30. All non-registered commercial and industrial users must apply via the Jal Shakti Department portal or at www.emerginghimachal.hp.gov.in. After this date, the portal will be disabled, and no further applications will be entertained.
“This is the last opportunity for non-registered users to comply,” Sood reiterated. He further disclosed that around 100 commercial entities remain unregistered, and two firms were recently fined Rs 11.30 lakh for violating the HP Groundwater Act.
Himachal Tribune