Groundwater Extraction in Noida Requires NOC and Registration: New Enforcement Measures Introduced

The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration has made it mandatory for all industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects in Noida to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before extracting groundwater. The move aims to regulate the use of groundwater and ensure long-term availability amid increasing demand and falling water tables.

Projects that fall under this regulation include reverse osmosis (RO) plants, hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, water parks, and similar establishments. Authorities have emphasized that any entity involved in groundwater extraction without a valid NOC and registration will be subject to strict penalties.

According to Section 39 of the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019, violators could face fines ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh. In addition to financial penalties, imprisonment for a term of six months to one year may also be imposed. The Act allows for both penalties to be applied simultaneously in serious cases.

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma has stated that enforcement measures are being strengthened to monitor groundwater use and prevent unauthorized extraction. A formal communication from his office issued on Friday stressed the need for timely compliance and directed eligible entities to complete their registration on the official Uttar Pradesh groundwater department portal—https://upgwdonline.in—via the Nivesh Mitra platform.

The registration process involves submitting a technical report that outlines the groundwater usage plan, along with necessary affidavits. The objective is to bring transparency and accountability in the use of groundwater resources. All new and existing users must comply with the rule, and non-compliance may lead to legal action.

These measures come at a time when parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Noida and Greater Noida, are facing growing pressure on water supply systems. The summer months are expected to bring additional stress due to increased consumption. Authorities have noted that unregulated groundwater extraction contributes significantly to the depletion of underground reserves, making the situation more difficult during dry spells.

The Uttar Pradesh Groundwater Act, introduced in 2019, provides a regulatory framework for groundwater management across the state. It mandates that any activity involving groundwater extraction for commercial or industrial use must be registered and approved. The Act also grants enforcement powers to district administrations to act against violators.

Local officials have been instructed to carry out inspections and identify entities that are using groundwater without appropriate documentation. In addition to targeting unauthorized users, the administration is also conducting awareness campaigns to inform businesses and institutions about the new compliance requirements.

Experts working in the field of water resource management have welcomed the decision, pointing out that such regulations are necessary to prevent overexploitation. They argue that unless groundwater usage is brought under control, future water security in urban and peri-urban areas will be compromised.

The district administration has also indicated that more detailed guidelines may be issued in the coming weeks to clarify the implementation process and provide support to those seeking to regularize their groundwater usage.

For now, all concerned entities are expected to initiate the registration process without delay. Those already extracting groundwater must also regularize their operations by securing the required NOC through the prescribed online system.