Introduction
The Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) has announced special late fee relief for groundwater users seeking to regularize groundwater extraction for industrial, infrastructure and mining projects in Haryana. According to the government announcement dated 23 October 2026, the relief is available until 30 November 2026 to facilitate compliance with groundwater regulations and encourage eligible users to obtain the required No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The decision aims to promote groundwater conservation, regulation and better management of water resources across the state. It provides an opportunity for industries, infrastructure developers and mining project proponents who have not completed the applicable groundwater approval process to review their status and take the necessary steps within the announced period. Businesses can also understand the Groundwater NOC Process in India to become familiar with the general approval process.
The authority has also clarified that late fees will be charged according to its existing guidelines from 1 December 2026, following the end of the special relief period. Project proponents who fail to obtain the required NOC within the applicable deadline or violate the relevant rules may face legal action under the applicable provisions.
Businesses using groundwater in Haryana should therefore review their approval status, understand the requirements applicable to their projects and consult the official HWRA portal for the relevant application process.
What Is the Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA)?
The Haryana Water Resources Authority was constituted under the Haryana Water Resources Authority Act, 2020. According to the government announcement, the authority monitors and regulates the use of groundwater and surface water in the state.
Its regulatory role is intended to support the conservation and responsible management of water resources. Groundwater is an important resource for industrial operations, infrastructure development and other activities, making the regulation of extraction an important part of water-resource management. Businesses can review the relevant groundwater laws and regulations in India to understand the wider regulatory framework.
Under the requirements described in the announcement, industrial, infrastructure and mining projects must obtain the necessary NOC from the authority before using groundwater, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions.
The latest late fee relief has been introduced to facilitate compliance by relevant stakeholders and industrialists. Users should confirm their individual eligibility, applicable conditions and required documentation through the official HWRA portal.
What Is the HWRA Groundwater NOC Late Fee Waiver?
The late fee relief is a special measure announced by HWRA to support the regularization of groundwater extraction for eligible industrial, infrastructure and mining projects.
The key details of the announcement are as follows:
- Authority: Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA).
- Announcement date: 23 October 2026.
- Relief deadline: 30 November 2026.
- Applicable users: Relevant groundwater users in industrial, infrastructure and mining categories, subject to applicable rules and exemptions.
- Official application portal: https://hwra.org.in/
- Late fee after the relief period: Applicable late fees will be charged under the authority's existing guidelines from 1 December 2026.
- Compliance requirement: Relevant project proponents must obtain the required NOC and comply with applicable groundwater regulations.
The relief should not be interpreted as a blanket exemption from groundwater approval requirements. Users must determine which rules apply to their activities and complete the required process through the authority. They can also review the requirements for groundwater extraction permission to understand the general approval considerations.
The announcement also does not specify that every groundwater user is eligible for identical relief. Users in exempted categories should check the rules applicable to their category, while other groundwater users should confirm their requirements directly through HWRA.
Who Should Review Their Groundwater NOC Status?
The announcement specifically refers to industrial, infrastructure and mining projects. Organisations operating in these sectors should review their groundwater extraction and approval status.
1. Industrial Units
Industrial units may use groundwater for manufacturing processes, equipment operation, cleaning, utilities and other operational requirements. Businesses that extract groundwater should verify whether they hold the necessary HWRA NOC and whether their current extraction arrangements comply with the applicable approval conditions.
Where an approval is required but has not been obtained, the responsible organisation should review the relevant application and regularization requirements without delaying until the final days of the relief period.
2. Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure projects may require water for construction, site operations or other approved activities. Project proponents should assess whether groundwater extraction is involved and determine which permissions or NOCs are applicable.
Developers should also review the responsibilities of contractors and site operators to ensure that groundwater use is managed in accordance with the relevant requirements.
3. Mining Projects
Mining operations may have specific water-use requirements depending on the nature and location of the activity. Project proponents should check their groundwater approval status and confirm the applicable HWRA conditions before extracting groundwater.
The announced relief provides an opportunity for relevant users to review outstanding approval matters, subject to the authority's rules and eligibility conditions.
Important Deadline: 30 November 2026
The deadline is one of the most important aspects of the announcement.
HWRA has stated that special late fee relief for regularization will be available until 30 November 2026. From 1 December 2026, late fees will be charged according to the authority's existing guidelines.
Groundwater users who may require an NOC should use the available period to review their situation and understand the steps required to comply.
A practical review should include:
- Confirming whether the project extracts groundwater.
- Checking whether an HWRA NOC or other applicable permission is required.
- Reviewing any existing approval and its conditions.
- Identifying whether an application or regularization process is outstanding.
- Checking the current application procedure and requirements on the official HWRA portal.
- Completing the applicable process within the announced period, where eligible.
Users should not assume that submitting an application automatically means the required NOC has been granted. They should follow the authority's process and confirm the status of their application.
What Happens After 30 November 2026?
The government announcement clarifies that the special late fee relief period ends on 30 November 2026. From 1 December 2026, late fees will apply according to HWRA's existing guidelines.
The announcement also warns that project proponents who fail to obtain the required NOC within the applicable deadline or violate the relevant rules will face legal action under applicable provisions.
Groundwater users should therefore avoid treating the late fee relief as permission to continue extraction without the required approval. The applicable authorization requirements remain important, and project proponents should confirm their compliance obligations with HWRA.
The precise late fee amount, applicable procedure and consequences for an individual project depend on the relevant rules and circumstances. These details should be verified through official authority guidance rather than assumed to be the same for every groundwater user.
How to Apply for a Groundwater NOC Through the HWRA Portal
The government announcement directs groundwater users, except those falling within an exempted category, to submit their applications and obtain the required NOC through the official portal.
Website: https://hwra.org.in/
Before applying, project proponents should review the information and instructions available on the portal to identify the requirements applicable to their project.
A general preparation checklist includes:
- Confirming the category and location of the project.
- Reviewing the source and purpose of groundwater extraction.
- Checking the existing groundwater permission or NOC status.
- Reviewing the applicable application requirements.
- Preparing the information and documents requested by the authority. The Groundwater NOC and Borewell Permission Documents Checklist can help users understand common documentation considerations.
- Submitting the application through the prescribed process.
- Monitoring the application and responding to any additional requirements communicated by HWRA.
This checklist is intended to help users prepare for the process. The actual document list, application steps, eligibility criteria and applicable fees must be confirmed through the authority's current instructions.
Why Groundwater Compliance Is Important for Businesses
Groundwater compliance is important because extraction is regulated and may require prior authorization. Businesses that depend on groundwater should understand the requirements relevant to their operations instead of treating water-use permissions as a one-time administrative formality.
A structured compliance review can help organisations identify whether an NOC is required, whether an existing approval remains applicable and whether any outstanding regulatory action needs attention.
Businesses should also ensure that the people responsible for utilities, project management and environmental compliance understand the applicable approval conditions. Where water extraction arrangements change, the organisation should assess whether further action is required under the relevant rules. Businesses that already hold an approval should also understand their groundwater annual compliance and returns requirements, where applicable.
The late fee relief announced by HWRA offers a time-bound opportunity for relevant users to review their approval status. Acting within the announced period can help eligible project proponents address outstanding matters before the existing late fee guidelines apply from 1 December 2026.
How Simplicomp Can Support Groundwater NOC Compliance
Simplicomp provides environmental compliance consultancy support for industries, infrastructure developers and other businesses.
Depending on a project's requirements, support may include reviewing groundwater approval requirements, identifying potential documentation gaps, helping organise application information and assisting with the understanding of applicable environmental compliance obligations.
Businesses in Haryana should first confirm their groundwater extraction category, eligibility for any relief and the applicable HWRA requirements. The scope of consultancy support depends on the project's circumstances and the procedures established by the authority.
For official information and application requirements, users should refer directly to the HWRA portal.
Conclusion
The Haryana Water Resources Authority has announced special late fee relief for the regularization of groundwater extraction for relevant industrial, infrastructure and mining projects until 30 November 2026.
The measure is intended to facilitate compliance and encourage groundwater users to obtain the required NOC. According to the announcement, existing late fee guidelines will apply from 1 December 2026, and project proponents who fail to obtain the required NOC or violate applicable rules may face legal action.
Groundwater users should review their approval status, confirm whether they qualify for the relief and follow the official HWRA application process. The announcement provides a time-bound opportunity to address outstanding compliance matters, but users should not assume that the relief removes their obligation to obtain the required permission.
For the latest application instructions and applicable conditions, visit the official HWRA website: https://hwra.org.in/
Related Guides & Resources
- Groundwater Monitoring →
- Groundwater NOC Document Checklist →
- Groundwater Recharge →
- Groundwater Annual Compliance Returns →
Need Help with Groundwater NOC Approval?
Simplicomp provides support for:
- Groundwater NOC applications
- Borewell permission approvals
- CGWA approvals
- hwra approvals
- Water balance studies