CGWA NOC for Groundwater Extraction (HWRA Permission in Haryana)
Industries, mining and infrastructure projects that draw groundwater need a No Objection Certificate from the Central Ground Water Authority, applied for on the NOCAP portal. In Haryana the job has moved to the Haryana Water Resources Authority, which now handles all new, pending and renewal cases. We work out which authority applies, prepare the file and track it to approval.
What it is
A CGWA NOC is written permission to pull groundwater out of a borewell or tubewell for an industry, a mine, an infrastructure project or a bulk water supply business. It fixes how much you can draw, what you pay for it, and what you must do in return: meters, monitoring wells, water audits and recharge.
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) issues it under its guidelines notified as S.O. 3289(E) on 24 September 2020, amended by S.O. 1509(E) on 29 March 2023. Applications go on the NOCAP portal (cgwa-noc.gov.in). States with their own groundwater law take over this role. Haryana is one: under the Haryana Water Resources (Conservation, Regulation and Management) Authority Act, 2020, the HWRA grants permission, and the CGWA portal itself says all Haryana cases are dealt with by HWRA only.
Who it applies to
You run a factory on a borewell
Factories that use groundwater for process, cooling, washing or staff use. Micro and small enterprises drawing less than 10 cubic metres a day are exempt, though Haryana asks them to self-register. Your Udyam registration is the proof of MSE status.
You build, mine or dewater
Infrastructure projects and mines that draw groundwater or pump it out during dewatering.
You supply water by tanker
Private tanker operators who supply groundwater must take an NOC under CGWA’s separate guidelines for bulk water suppliers.
Why it matters
Your water source is on record
A valid NOC is written proof that your unit draws groundwater lawfully, within a fixed quantity and on known conditions.
Illegal extraction is costly
CGWA levies environmental compensation, with a minimum of ₹1 lakh for industrial, mining and infrastructure users drawing without an NOC. HWRA has issued a final notice to units extracting without permission.
Charges follow your area
Charges depend on whether your block is safe, semi-critical, critical or over-exploited. Getting the category right at the start avoids surprises on renewal.
CGWA or HWRA: which applies to you?
We settle this first. Filing with the wrong authority wastes time.
| Where is your unit? | Authority | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Haryana (Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat and every other district) | Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) | HEPC portal on investharyana.in |
| Punjab | Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority | State portal; CGWA’s NOCAP has stopped processing Punjab cases |
| States and UTs where CGWA still regulates groundwater | Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) | NOCAP portal (cgwa-noc.gov.in) |
Several other states have their own groundwater laws. We check the current position for your state before filing.
Documents required
About the unit
- Registration documents of the business
- Udyam or MSME certificate, where you claim MSME treatment
- Site plan and location of each borewell
- Consent to Establish or Operate, where you have it
About the water
- Daily and annual groundwater requirement, with break-up by use
- Details of existing wells: depth, diameter, pump
- Water balance and any recycling or reuse
- Rainwater harvesting or recharge plan
Technical reports
- Hydrogeological report, where the authority requires it
- Digital flow meter details
- Piezometer details for larger users
- Previous NOC and compliance reports, for renewals
How it works
Identify the authority and category
We confirm whether CGWA or a state authority such as HWRA covers your site, and find the category of your block or village. HWRA published updated village categorisation in June 2024.
Calculate your daily water need
We prepare a realistic daily requirement with a water balance. Here is the catch: the fee slab, charges and conditions all follow from this one number. A Faridabad dyeing unit that rounds its need up to 120 cubic metres a day lands in the ₹50,000 slab, when its metered use might have kept it under 100.
Line up the technical reports
Hydrogeological reports, flow meter specifications and piezometer designs come from qualified hydrogeologists and vendors. We coordinate them and fit them into the application.
File and pay online
For CGWA, we file on NOCAP and pay the ₹10,000 processing fee online. For Haryana, we file through the HEPC portal and pay the HWRA fee for your slab.
Answer queries and keep compliant
We reply to queries and track the file. Once the NOC is issued, our compliance team keeps a calendar for meter readings, audits and renewal.
Timelines
Before you draw water
Permission is needed before extraction starts. In practice, if your unit has run a borewell for years without permission, apply now; HWRA has already issued a final notice to such users.
HWRA validity and renewal
Under HWRA’s 2021 guidelines, permission is valid for one year. Renewal costs half the application fee for your slab.
Monitoring deadlines
In Haryana, industries drawing over 500 cubic metres a day must build a piezometer within six months and send monthly water level data. Water audit reports are due within three months.
What happens if you draw groundwater without an NOC
Environmental compensation
CGWA’s 2020 guidelines set a minimum of ₹1 lakh for industrial, mining and infrastructure users, rising with the volume drawn and the length of the breach.
Enforcement notices
HWRA has issued a final public notice to proponents extracting groundwater without permission, including those who never applied. Treat it as a clear warning in Haryana.
Charges keep running
Applying late does not erase the period you drew water without permission. The compensation grows with the volume and the length of the breach.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a CGWA NOC if my factory is in Faridabad?
No, not from CGWA. Units in Haryana take permission from the Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA). The CGWA NOCAP portal itself states that all Haryana pending, new and renewal cases are dealt with by HWRA only. Applications go through the HEPC portal on investharyana.in. The rules, fees and conditions are HWRA’s own, and we file under them for Faridabad and other Haryana units.
What is the CGWA NOC fee?
CGWA charges a processing fee of ₹10,000 for a fresh NOC and ₹5,000 for renewal, paid online through the NOCAP portal; direct Bharat Kosh payments have been disabled since 20 November 2022. Groundwater abstraction charges are separate and depend on the quantity drawn and the category of your area. We work out both before you apply, so the budget is clear from day one.
What is the HWRA application fee in Haryana?
For industrial use, the HWRA application fee is ₹25,000 for 10–100 cubic metres a day, ₹50,000 for above 100–500, ₹1,00,000 for above 500–1,000 and ₹1,50,000 above 1,000 cubic metres a day. Infrastructure projects pay ₹50,000 (government or PSU) or ₹1,50,000 (others). Renewal is half these rates. Abstraction charges are extra, and we calculate them for your slab.
Who is exempt from groundwater NOC?
Individual domestic users, rural drinking water schemes, the armed forces, farmers for agriculture and micro and small enterprises drawing less than 10 cubic metres a day are exempt. The 2023 CGWA amendment also exempts industries, mines and infrastructure projects that draw up to 5 cubic metres a day only for drinking and domestic use. In Haryana, exempt MSEs still self-register with HWRA. We confirm your status in writing.
Can a new industry get an NOC in an over-exploited area?
In Haryana, HWRA does not grant permission to new industries in over-exploited areas, except micro, small and medium enterprises. Even an MSME cannot get permission for a new packaged drinking water unit or a water-intensive industry in such an area. If you are choosing a site, check the village category first. We can do that before you sign a lease.
Is a water flow meter compulsory?
Yes. CGWA’s guidelines require digital water flow meters on abstraction structures, along with piezometers and digital water level recorders where conditions apply. Bulk water suppliers need tamper-proof digital meters with telemetry. In Haryana, larger industries must also build a piezometer within six months and report water levels monthly. We help you list the right equipment and keep the readings filed on time.
What water audit does HWRA require?
Industries drawing 100–500 cubic metres a day must carry out an annual self water audit. Those drawing more than 500 cubic metres a day need an audit by auditors certified by CII, FICCI or the National Productivity Council. Reports are due within three months. HWRA also expects all industries to cut groundwater use by at least 20% over three years. We plan the audit cycle with you from the start.
How do rainwater harvesting and recharge help?
Rooftop rainwater harvesting or recharge is a standard condition, and in over-exploited areas some industries must recharge double the amount. HWRA’s guidelines give a 50% rebate on charges for units with compliant artificial recharge structures. We help you document the structures properly so the rebate is not lost on paperwork.
Does Taxhint prepare the hydrogeological report?
No. Hydrogeological reports, pump tests and piezometer designs are prepared by qualified hydrogeologists, and water audits by the certified auditors the rules name. Our role is to work out which authority applies, compile the application, file it on NOCAP or the HEPC portal, handle queries and keep your compliance calendar. You get one point of contact, and the technical work stays with the right experts.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
| Authority and use | Government fee |
|---|---|
| CGWA fresh NOC (NOCAP) | ₹10,000 processing fee |
| CGWA renewal | ₹5,000 processing fee |
| HWRA industrial, 10–100 m³/day | ₹25,000 |
| HWRA industrial, above 100–500 m³/day | ₹50,000 |
| HWRA industrial, above 500–1,000 m³/day | ₹1,00,000 |
| HWRA industrial, above 1,000 m³/day | ₹1,50,000 |
| HWRA renewal | Half the application fee |
Groundwater abstraction or restoration charges are payable on top, based on the quantity drawn and your area’s category.
Ready to begin?
Tell us where your borewell is and how much water you use, and we will tell you which authority and fee slab apply.