The Delhi government is drafting a policy requiring all domestic and commercial borewells to be fitted with water meters, linking water bills to actual groundwater extraction.

This move aims to monitor and regulate groundwater usage, address illegal borewells, and introduce continuous monitoring instead of one-time approvals.

Officials stated that the draft policy, shared with the Central Ground Water Board, seeks to simplify permissions for genuine users while ensuring compliance.Currently, unauthorized borewells operate in large numbers, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands exist.The policy will provide a pathway to regularize these wells and introduce user charges based on consumption.

Environmental compensation for illegal extraction is calculated using a formula involving extraction volume, duration, location, and deterrence factors.Penalties for excessive extraction in critical areas could reach ₹9.5 lakh annually.The government plans a door-to-door survey to verify water connections and collect borewell data, addressing challenges in identifying illegal wells.This initiative aims to balance water access in underserved areas with sustainable groundwater management.