Bengaluru: In a sweeping move to regulate groundwa ter use and ensure sustain-ability the state govt has decided to impose charges ranging from Re 1 to Rs 35 per cubic metre on indi-viduals, housing societies, commercial establishments, industries, and mining oper-ators drawing groundwater across the state.
The charges will apply to all types of apartment complexes, group housing societies, and even govt agencies supplying water in urban areas. Commer-cial and mining users will also fall under the ambit of the new regulations.
In addition, the govt has made it mandatory for all residential and commercial property owners to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) before digging borewells or extracting groundwater. While the 2011 and 2012 Karna-taka Groundwater Regulations allowed NOCs water extraction, they did not include charges or cover tanker suppliers.
All apartment complexes and group housing societies drawing 25-200 cubic metres per day will now have to pay Re 1 per cubic metre, and those using above 200 cubic metres will pay Rs 2 per cubic metre. There are no charges for the usage of up to 25 cubic meters.
Industries, infrastructure, and mining projects will be charged based on the groundwater categorisation of the taluk safe, semi-critical, critical, or over exploited.
Satinder Duggal
