Puducherry Tightens Groundwater Rules, Extraction Falls

03 Dec 2025 CW Team

In the Union Territory of Puducherry, the Pondicherry Ground Water Authority regulates groundwater extraction through a system of permits and renewals issued to users. According to information from the State Government, Puducherry issued G.O. Ms. No. 2/Ag dated 12 April 2023, published in Gazette No. 41 on 18 April 2023, revising earlier provisions related to fees and regulations. The order is aligned with the Groundwater Extraction Guidelines issued by the Central Ground Water Authority on 24 September 2020.

The Authority issues permits and renewal certificates for groundwater extraction intended for industrial activity, infrastructure development and bulk water supply. Groundwater users have also been instructed to build additional rainwater harvesting structures to enhance recharge and raise the water table. As a result of consistent monitoring and follow-up, around 223 rainwater harvesting structures have been constructed.

Due to these strengthened regulatory measures, data from the Central Ground Water Board shows that total annual groundwater extraction in Puducherry and Karaikal districts has marginally declined from 0.15 billion cubic metres in 2020 to 0.13 billion cubic metres in 2025.

The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Infrastructure Transport

30 May 2026

Chembur Metro to Boost East Mumbai Links

MMRDA is advancing eastern Mumbai’s urban mobility network, with the upcoming Chembur Metro Station set to emerge as a key interchange and the Mumbai Monorail preparing for relaunch.Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, conducted a site visit to Chembur Metro Station along with Kanhuraj Bagate, Managing Director, MMMOCL. He also visited the nearby VN Purav Monorail Station to review system preparedness and ease of interconnectivity.Once operational, the interchange is expected to offer commuters across the eastern suburbs quicker access, smoother transfers and seamless conne..

Herrenknecht TBMs Drive Thane–Borivali Tunnel Progress

Herrenknecht India has supplied two of the four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) required for the 11-km Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel Project being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The project is expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from 60–90 minutes to around 15 minutes while easing congestion across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.The first two Single Shield TBMs, named Nayak and Arjuna, feature 13.34-m cutterhead diameters and are designed for hard-rock excavation. They will be deployed to tunnel through the challenging geological..

KBL Launches Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set

Kirloskar Brothers (KBL) has launched its Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set, an integrated fire protection solution designed to improve operational efficiency, remote monitoring and installation flexibility. The system was inaugurated by Ms Madhuritai Misal, Hon. Minister of State for Urban Development, Government of Maharashtra.The Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set is a factory-tested, pre-packaged solution that combines FM/UL-certified motor and engine pump sets with IoT-enabled remote monitoring. Designed to deliver a flow rate of 170 m³/hr at a head of 100 metres, the system aims to provide..