Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Chennai Metropolitan Area Groundwater (Regulation) Act, 1987

General198718 sections

This Act regulates the extraction and use of groundwater within the Chennai Metropolitan Area and specific surrounding revenue villages to prevent over-exploitation and mitigate sea water intrusion. It mandates that residents and businesses obtain a permit to sink new wells and a licence to extract or transport groundwater for non-domestic purposes. The law also enforces mandatory rainwater harvesting for buildings and prohibits the use of groundwater for activities like swimming pools or gardening. For ordinary citizens, this means you cannot simply dig a borewell or extract water for commercial use without government approval, ensuring sustainable water management for the region.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title, extent and commencement
  2. 2. Definitions
  3. 3. Grant of permit to sink well in the scheduled area
  4. 4. Registration of existing wells and use of groundwater in scheduled area
  5. 5. Licence for extraction, use or transport of groundwater
  6. 6. Cancellation of permit or licence
  7. 7. Exemption
  8. 8. Competent authority
  9. 9. Appeal
  10. 10. Offences and penalties
  11. 11. Offences by companies
  12. 12. Offences under this Act to be cognizable
  13. 13. Exemption for agricultural purposes
  14. 14. Implementation of scheme for artificial re-charge
  15. 15. Power of Board to make regulations
  16. 16. Provided that no regulation shall have effect unless a draft of the regulations has been sent by the Board to the Government and the approval of the Government has been obtained therefor.
  17. 17. Other laws not affected
  18. I. The Schedule

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