Hyderabad: Permission from MRO mandatory for borewells near public drinking water sources

Hyderabad: Prior permission from the Mandal Revenue Officer is mandatory for anyone intending to sink a borewell either for irrigation, drinking water, or any other purpose near a public drinking water source.

Applicants seeking permission to dig a drinking water source must physically submit the prescribed application form at the local Mandal Revenue Office (MRO). The application must include registered sale deeds, the applicant’s Aadhaar card and address proof, a map showing property boundaries, structural setups and existing adjacent borewells, and clearances from the local civic body, either GHMC or the municipal council.

After an application is lodged, the Mandal Revenue Officer directs a field inspection team to verify the site. By law, a proposed site must be at least 250 metres from any existing public or neighbouring drinking water source to prevent aquifer depletion.

A hydrogeologist also inspects the ground to ensure drilling will not cause irreversible geological stress to the local water table. If all spacing norms, ecological criteria and structural verifications are met, the designated officer issues formal WALTA drilling permission.

Explaining the current situation, a GWD official said that new borewells were permitted only for essential drinking water needs, subject to strict scrutiny and existing distance rules. Blanket bans were now in place. Construction sites must source recycled treated wastewater through designated HMWSSB “green water tankers”.