The Delhi government is preparing to launch a new policy for domestic borewells to simplify the process for residents. Water Minister Pravesh Verma announced in the Delhi Assembly on March 27, 2026, that domestic consumers will soon be allowed to install borewells by paying a fixed fee. This initiative aims to curb the illegal borewell market and eliminate the corruption involved in seeking unofficial permissions. The policy is expected to be fully operational within the next two to three months across the national capital.
Key Features and Rules of the New Policy
- The requirement for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the District Magistrate (DM) will be abolished for domestic applicants.
- A dedicated online portal will be launched to make the application process transparent and fast.
- Meters will be installed on all borewells to monitor and prevent excessive extraction of groundwater.
- The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will take over the responsibility of treating sewage generated from these borewells.
- Existing illegal borewells will have a provision to be regularized under the new guidelines.
- Strict legal action will be taken against those who continue to operate borewells without following the new fee-based system.
Planned Infrastructure and Water Management Goals
The government has set a target to reduce non-revenue water from the current 53% to 15% through better management. As part of the broader water reforms, 35 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be established to help clean the Yamuna river. These plants will upgrade the city’s sewage treatment capacity to 1500 MGD. Minister Verma also shared that work on major water projects in Chandrawal and Wazirabad has been revived with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Additionally, tenders for 230 new borewells have been issued to increase water availability by 36 million gallons per day (MGD) in various areas.
