Parliament Question: Sealing and regularisation of illegal borewells

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1844 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 SEALING AND REGULARISATION OF ILLEGAL BOREWELLS 1844 # SHRI NEERAJ DANGI: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) the number of illegal borewells sealed during the last three years and the number of borewells that have been regularized out of them, the State-wise status thereof; (b) whether the sealing of these borewells had any impact on the water level and the manner in which it has been measured; (c) role of the Central Government with State Governments in identifying and sealing illegal borewells and the technical or digital monitoring systems being adopted therefor; and (d) whether any policy is being formulated for the reuse or legalization of the sealed borewells? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under this Ministry regulates ground water extraction in 19 States/UTs by way of issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for ground water extraction for various purposes like industrial, infrastructure, mining etc. in accordance with its Guidelines dated 24.09.2020. Apart from that, 17 States/UTs have their own regulatory framework/authorities. As per the powers conferred under section (5) of Environment Protection Act, 1986, CGWA has delegated the powers to seal illegal bore wells to District Collectors/District Magistrates. The data on number of such illegal bore wells sealed and regularized is maintained at the level of State/District authorities only. (b) Sealing of identified illegal bore wells can only have limited and localized impact on ground water resources. However, in the overall analysis, the data on ground water resources of the country indicates that the total annual ground water extraction in the country has reduced from 249 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) in 2017 to 247.22 BCM in 2025, on account of judicious regulation and increasing awareness among the citizens. 1(c) ‘Water’ being a state subject, regulation of ground water extraction including taking necessary steps for curbing illegal extraction, falls mainly under the purview of State Governments. The Central Ground Water Authority on its part, provides necessary guidance and directions to State Authorities (wherever established) or to the concerned State Departments/District Administration with a view to ensure effective regulation. The Guidelines issued by CGWA dated 24.09.2020 have several provisions for curbing illegal and over-extraction of ground water by the projects. Installation of water flow meters with telemetry system and regular maintenance and submission of extraction data is a mandatory condition for issuing NOC for ground water extraction. Additionally, the Guidelines also mandate installation of piezometers along with water level recorders within the premises of industries/projects drawing ground water above the prescribed threshold, with an objective to monitor the impact of extraction on the ground water resources in the surrounding areas. (d) Upon compliance of all conditions stipulated in the Guidelines and payment of all dues like ground water extraction charges, penalties and Environment Compensation (EC) charges etc., as applicable, CGWA has the powers to regularize sealed bore wells, allowing extraction of ground water for the permitted quantity. ***** 2