Gujarat Mulls New Groundwater Law to Curb Over-Extraction and Pollution

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government is drafting the Gujarat Groundwater Bill, 2026, aimed at regulating groundwater use by treating it as a shared public resource rather than private property. Slated to be tabled next month, the legislation addresses declining water levels across the state by prioritizing groundwater for drinking, agriculture, and livelihood needs.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Bill

-Regulatory Authority: The state plans to establish the Gujarat State Groundwater Regulation and Development Authority to oversee and implement sustainable use policies across all levels, from villages to the state government.

-Ecologically Fragile Zones: The government will have the power to designate vulnerable regions as groundwater protection zones, restricting extraction to prevent aquifers from running dry.

-Mandatory Conservation: Rainwater harvesting and water recycling will be strictly mandated. Building plans will only receive approval if provisions for harvesting are integrated.

-Industrial Oversight: Factories and bulk users must obtain permission before pumping groundwater. Water charges will be levied on industrial users, while agriculture will remain exempt, and collected revenue will fund conservation work.

-Decentralized Management: Committees will be set up across village, taluka, municipality, municipal corporation, and district tiers to formulate security plans and manage local extraction.

Strict Penalties for Violations

The legislation introduces heavy penalties to deter illegal extraction and environmental damage:

-Groundwater Pollution: Carries a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.

-Illegal Extraction: Unauthorized drawing of water inside protected zones can attract penalties of up to ₹10 lakh, along with potential imprisonment.

-Failed Infrastructure: Failing to install mandatory rainwater harvesting systems will result in fines and potential jail time for offenders.