• The Minister of State for Jal Shakti recently informed the Lok Sabha about the BHU-NEER Portal — a state-of-the-art online platform launched in 2024 by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
• The portal aims to provide a smooth and efficient mechanism for regulating groundwater development and management across India by offering a quick and user-friendly system for filing No Objection Certificate (NOC) applications for groundwater abstraction.
• BHU-NEER’s centralized database allows access to critical information on groundwater compliance, policies, and sustainable practices.
• It offers a streamlined process flow for industries, infrastructure projects, and mining projects seeking groundwater withdrawal permits.
• Key features include a PAN-based single ID system, NOCs with QR codes, and a simplified, informative interface — marking a major upgrade over the earlier NOCAP system.
• By enforcing guidelines to curb indiscriminate groundwater extraction, the portal supports sustainable groundwater management and aligns with the country’s long-term water security goals.