Frequently Asked Questions

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is a statutory body established in India under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It was formed to address the critical issue of groundwater depletion and contamination by regulating and controlling groundwater use across the country.

Functions of CGWA

The key functions of the CGWA are centered around the sustainable management and regulation of India's groundwater resources.
•    Regulation of Groundwater Extraction: A primary function is to regulate and control groundwater abstraction. The CGWA issues No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater withdrawal to various entities, including industries, infrastructure projects, and mining operations. This ensures that groundwater use is within sustainable limits and does not lead to over-exploitation.
•    Assessment and Monitoring: In collaboration with the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the CGWA monitors groundwater levels and quality nationwide. This involves collecting and analyzing hydrogeological data to assess the status of aquifers and identify areas that are "over-exploited" or "critical."
•    Promoting Conservation: The authority actively promotes groundwater conservation by mandating and encouraging practices like rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge of aquifers, often making them a condition for granting NOCs.
•    Advising Government Bodies: The CGWA provides technical and policy advice to central and state governments on all matters related to groundwater management, including the formulation of legislative measures and regulatory frameworks.
•    Raising Awareness: It conducts awareness campaigns and workshops to educate the public, industries, and other stakeholders about the importance of groundwater conservation and sustainable water use.

Powers of CGWA

The CGWA is vested with significant powers to effectively carry out its functions and enforce compliance.
•    Legal Authority: The CGWA is empowered to exercise the powers conferred upon it by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. This includes the authority to issue directions and take measures to prevent and control groundwater pollution and over-extraction.
•    Enforcement and Penalties: It can enforce the penal provisions of the Act, which means it can impose fines and initiate legal action against individuals or organizations found violating groundwater regulations. This includes the power to seal illegal bore wells and penalize those who extract groundwater without a valid NOC.
•    Notifying Areas: The authority has the power to notify specific areas as "over-exploited," "critical," or "semi-critical" based on groundwater assessment. Once an area is notified, stringent regulations and controls on groundwater extraction are put in place to manage the resource effectively.
•    Setting Guidelines: The CGWA establishes guidelines and procedures for the grant of NOCs for groundwater withdrawal, which are revised periodically to reflect changing conditions and conservation needs. These guidelines specify the required documentation, fees, and conditions for approval.

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is a body established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, with the primary mandate of regulating, managing, and controlling the development and management of India's groundwater resources. It operates under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Mission and Purpose of CGWA

•    Sustainable Management: The core objective is to ensure the sustainable and responsible use of groundwater, a finite and critical resource.
•    Preventing Over-exploitation: The CGWA aims to prevent the over-extraction of groundwater, which can lead to a decline in water tables, aquifer depletion, and water quality degradation.
•    Conservation and Recharge: The authority promotes measures for groundwater conservation, such as rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge, and often makes them mandatory for entities that extract groundwater.

Regulatory Framework of CGWA

The CGWA has framed guidelines for granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for groundwater abstraction. These guidelines are the primary tool for regulating groundwater use. The application for an NOC is typically a detailed process that requires applicants to submit:
•    A comprehensive hydrogeological report.
•    Plans for rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.
•    A water quality report.
•    Detailed information about the proposed water use.

Jurisdiction and Powers of CGWA

•    Notified Areas: The CGWA has the power to notify specific areas as "over-exploited," "critical," or "semi-critical" based on the level of groundwater development. In these notified areas, restrictions on new bore wells and the quantity of water extraction are much stricter.
•    Enforcement: The CGWA can take legal action against any entity found to be illegally extracting groundwater. 

1.    Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2.    Assam
3.    Arunachal Pradesh
4.    Bihar
5.    Chhattisgarh
6.    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
7.    Gujarat
8.    Jharkhand
9.    Madhya Pradesh
10.    Maharashtra
11.    Manipur
12.    Meghalaya
13.    Mizoram
14.    Nagaland
15.    Odisha
16.    Rajasthan
17.    Sikkim
18.    Tripura
19.    Uttarakhand
20.    Andhra Pradesh (only mining projects)
21.    Telangana (only mining projects)
 

The documents required for a Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) online application for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) vary depending on the type of project (industrial, infrastructure, or mining) and the amount of groundwater to be abstracted.

Documents Required for CGWA Online Application

1.  Basic Project & Ownership Documents

•    Proof of land ownership / lease agreement (sale deed, lease deed, allotment letter, etc.).
•    Site plan / location map with geo-coordinates (Google map or survey map).
•    Company registration documents (CIN, GST, PAN, MSME certificate if applicable).

2.  Water Requirement Details

•    Detailed water requirement report (process, domestic, cooling, green belt, etc.).
•    Water balance chart (showing source, consumption, and disposal).
•    Details of water meters proposed/installed (for monitoring extraction).

3.  Hydrogeological & Technical Reports

•    Hydrogeological report (by CGWA/State-approved geologist/hydrogeologist).
•    Groundwater availability assessment (with test bore/observation well data).
•    Rainwater harvesting / recharge proposal (with technical drawings).

4.  Regulatory Clearances

•    Consent to Establish / Operate (CTE/CTO) from State Pollution Control Board (or proof of having applied).
•    Environmental Clearance (EC), if applicable.
•    Approval/permission from local authority / industrial development authority (in case of industrial areas).

5.  Compliance & Undertakings

•    Self-declaration / Affidavit (on non-judicial stamp paper) confirming compliance with CGWA guidelines.
•    Certificate of non-extraction (if project is in notified / restricted area and using alternate sources).
•    Previous NOC and compliance report (for renewal applications).

6.  Category-Specific Documents

•    For Infrastructure projects (housing, hotels, hospitals, schools): Occupancy certificate / building plan approval.
•    For Packaged Drinking Water Plants: BIS certification / application.
•    For Mining Projects: Mining lease document and dewatering plan.
 

The CGWA permission for ground water abstraction is required for following purposes:

• Industrial Use
• Infrastructural Use
• Mining use 
   

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has a streamlined online procedure for applying for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for groundwater abstraction. The process, managed through the official "NOCAP" (NOC to Abstract Ground Water) portal, is designed to be comprehensive and transparent.

1.  User Registration

•    Access the Portal: The first step is to visit the official CGWA NOCAP portal 
•    New User Registration: Click on "New User Registration." You will be required to provide basic details such as your name, email ID, mobile number, and address.
•    Verification: An OTP (One-Time Password) is sent to your registered mobile number for verification. After successful verification, you can create a unique username and password.

2.  Application Submission

•    Login: Log in to the portal using your newly created credentials.
•    Select Application Type: From the menu, select the "New Application" option and choose the appropriate category for your project (e.g., Industrial, Infrastructure, or Mining).
•    Fill the Application Form: The online form is extensive and requires detailed information about your project, including:
     --  General Information: Name of the company/industry, location details (address, latitude, longitude), contact information, and project type.
     --  Water Requirement Details: A breakdown of the total fresh water requirement, including water balance flow chart showing usage at each stage (e.g., domestic, industrial process, cooling, etc.).
     --  Existing and Proposed Structures: Information on all existing and proposed bore wells/tube wells, including depth, diameter, and the installed pump horsepower.
     --  Groundwater Conditions: A comprehensive report or note on the groundwater conditions of the area, especially for large-scale projects.
     --  Rainwater Harvesting: Details of the proposed or existing rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge measures.

3.  Document Upload

This is a critical step where you must upload all the required supporting documents in the specified formats (usually PDF or JPG). The documents vary based on the project type, but a general list includes:
•    Proof of Land Ownership: Land registration deed, lease deed, or allotment letter.
•    Statutory Approvals:
     --  Valid Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
     --  Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), if applicable.
     --  Water Availability Proof: A certificate or affidavit of non-availability or partial availability of water from a government water supply agency.
     --  Technical Reports:
     --  A comprehensive hydrogeological report, especially for projects with high water withdrawal.
     --  A detailed proposal for rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge.
     --  In over-exploited areas, an Impact Assessment Report (IAR) with groundwater modeling may be required.
     --  Corporate Documents: Certificate of Incorporation (CIN), Memorandum of Association (MOA), Articles of Association (AOA), and a board declaration authorizing the signatory.
     --  Ground Watre Lab test Report: A groundwater quality test report from a NABL-accredited or government-approved lab.

4.  Fee Payment and Submission

•    Fee Calculation: The portal will calculate the application fee and the groundwater abstraction charges based on the details you have entered.
•    Online Payment: Pay the fees online through the designated payment gateway. The application will not be processed until the fee is successfully paid.
•    Final Submission: After uploading all documents and making the payment, review the entire application carefully. Once you are certain everything is correct, click "Submit."

Note: Once submitted, the application cannot be edited.
 

The cost of a Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) permission for groundwater extraction is not a single, fixed fee. It is determined by several factors and includes two main components: an application fee and groundwater abstraction charges.

1.  Application Fees

This is a one-time, non-refundable fee paid at the time of application. The amount of this fee can vary based on the specific guidelines in place and the category of the applicant. The fees are generally paid online through a government portal like Bharatkosh. While specific amounts can change, here is an example of the kind of fee structure that may exist:
•    Fresh NOC Application: Around ₹10,000
•    Renewal of NOC: Around ₹5,000
•    Revival of NOC: Around ₹10,000 (if the NOC has expired)

2.  Groundwater Abstraction/Restoration Charges

This is the main cost component and is calculated based on several key factors:
•    Quantum of Water Abstraction: The more water you propose to withdraw, the higher the charges will be. The rates are typically structured in slabs based on the volume of water extracted per cubic meter (m3) or per thousand liters.
•    Assessment Unit Category: The charges are significantly higher in areas that are classified as "over-exploited" or "critical" compared to "safe" or "semi-critical" areas. The CGWA and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) regularly assess and update these classifications for all parts of the country.
•    Type of Project: The rate of charges varies depending on the purpose of the water extraction. For example, the rates for a packaged drinking water unit or other high-use commercial activities are much higher than those for a residential housing society or an industrial unit.
•    Groundwater Restoration Charges: In "over-exploited" areas, applicants may be required to pay an additional restoration charge to contribute to efforts to replenish the aquifer.

Exemptions

Certain categories of users are exempt from paying these fees and charges, including:
•    Individual domestic consumers: For drinking and household use.
•    Agriculture sector: In most cases, agricultural users are exempt from obtaining an NOC and paying fees, though this is a subject of ongoing policy discussions.
•    Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs): Those with a very low water requirement (typically less than 10 cubic meters per day) may be exempt from the application fee, late fees, and abstraction charges.
Other Potential Costs

In addition to the official government fees, an applicant may incur other costs, such as:

•    Consultancy Fees: Hiring a professional hydro geologist or environmental consultant to prepare the detailed hydrogeological report, design the rainwater harvesting structures, and assist with the application process. This is a crucial and often substantial cost, especially for large-scale projects.
•    Laboratory Testing Fees: For a certified groundwater quality report.
•    Cost of implementing rainwater harvesting and recharge structures.
 

Biomedical waste is the waste generated from the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of diseases. The bio-medical waste is generated in hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, emergency medical services, medical research laboratories, offices of physicians, dentists, veterinarians, home health care and morgues or funeral homes. Bio-medical waste include discarded blood, sharps, used bandages and dressings, discarded gloves, needles, scalpels, lancets.

The applicant is required to visit the official website of his/her respective State Pollution Control Board and create a login ID and Password, by submitting preliminary details such as name of the applicant, name of the organization, address of the premises. After that the applicant is required to upload the required documents and submit Government fee. When the Government fee is submitted online, an application for Bio-Medical Waste Authorization is created and forwarded to the concerned officer of the State Pollution Control Board. The concerned officer may inspect the premises of the applicant and may ask for clarifications regarding some important issues. Once the queries raised during inspection are submitted, the certificate of Bio-Medical Waste Authorization is issued on the email of the applicant. 

The Government fee for the application for Bio-Medical Waste Authorization may range from NIL to up to Rs.10,000, depending on the State Pollution Control Board. For Delhi Pollution Control Board, the Government fee is Rs.5,000. If an agency is hired for this, it may charge you some consulting fee.  

The Union Government of India has initiated the Extended Producer's Responsibility (EPR) to ensure the monitoring and recyling of the material which are main causes of pollution generation. These products which fall under EPR are plastics, electronics, batteries, tyres & Used Oil. 

The Electrical & Electronics EPR (EEE EPR) Certifciate is a registration with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) wherein we inform the CPCB about the quantity of electrical & elecronic item we imported or manufactured. Depending on this quantity, the CPCB allots recycling targets to the applicants. These recyling targets are to be met by the applicants in conjuction with the recyclers of the electronic & electrical atems.  

Plastic as a material is not an issue, the issue is how to manage the waste of plastic. As per various surveys conducted, India generates 26000 tonnes of plastic waste every day from urban areas. Plastic waste has negative impact on the environment, especially on marine life, which comes from land based activities. Plastic is a unique material and its application ranges widely, from packaging of food items to medical and engineering equipment. The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 clearly state that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) should monitor that nobody can use less than 50 microns thick plastic bags and not allow usage of recycled plastics for packing of food items including beverages. The Rules also require that local bodies should provide separate collection, storage, and processing of plastic waste in their areas.

The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 make an arrangement to reduce the negative impact on the environment-related to plastic waste, in today’s era plastic is a wonder material and its use is almost impossible to ban. Under the PWM rules, authorities like Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats should provide separate collection, storage, and processing of plastic waste in their areas.

• Monitor and facilitate to use of more than 50 micron plastic carry bag 
• Plastic has reached in rural area and therefore it expands jurisdiction of applicability from the municipal area to rural areas
• To set responsibilities to producer and generator of plastic waste to take back waste from the market in respect of their target as Extended producer responsibility (EPR)
• To create awareness in the civil societies to minimize the use of plastic 
• To promote use of plastic waste for road construction as per Indian Road Congress guidelines or energy recovery, or waste to oil etc. 
   

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC - U)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)
• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Others
   

• Producers or Brand Owners of plastic products 
• Units Engaged in Processing or Recycling of Plastic Waste 
• Manufacturers of Plastic Raw Materials
   

• Pan card and Aadhar Card of Authorized person
• Authorization Letter (except Proprietorship)
• Layout Plan/ Naksha
• Consent to Operate (CTO) from State Pollution Control Authority  
• Agreement with Authorized Recycler
• Rent Agreement/Proof of Location

The applicant is required to submit the above stated documents, along with the application, in a prescribed format, to the State Pollution Control Board. The concerned officer may inspect the premises where the plastic materials are being used and may issue some clarifications. Once the clarifications issued by the Inspecting Authority are suitably submitted, the Plastic waste Management Authorization certificate is issued. 

The Government fee for Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Authorization certificate may range from NIL to up to Rs.10,000 depending on the State Pollution Control Board. If an agency is hired for the same, it may charge you some fee. Metacorp charges Rs.10,000 as consulting fee for end to end delivery of Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Authorization certificate.