The law
Groundwater extraction in Haryana is regulated by the Haryana Water Resources Authority under the HWRA Act, 2020.
Who needs permission (as HWRA describes it)
Industries, infrastructure projects — HWRA's examples include hospitals, schools, hotels, malls, clubs and housing societies — and mining projects, applying online on HWRA's website.
Exemptions HWRA lists
Individual domestic users for drinking and domestic use where there is no public supply; rural drinking-water schemes; armed forces establishments; agriculture. Micro and small enterprises drawing less than 10 cubic metres a day must register, but are exempt from application, late fees and tariff.
Check the block
HWRA categorises blocks by stage of extraction (categorisation as on 31 March 2024). The category affects how applications are treated.
Before buying or leasing
- Is there an existing borewell, and does it have HWRA permission?
- Is the permission in the current owner's name, and can it pass to you?
- Is there a public-supply alternative?