Akola district has imposed restrictions on new wells, borewells and commercial water extraction after declining groundwater levels raised concerns about drinking-water security ahead of summer. The preventive orders, issued by District Collector Varsha Meena under the Disaster Management Act, came into effect on 3 October and will remain in force until further orders.
The restrictions apply across Akola district, covering both urban and rural areas. New wells or borewells for private or commercial use cannot be dug within a 500-metre radius of public drinking-water sources without prior permission from the competent authority.
Machines and equipment used for unauthorised excavation may be seized, and legal action will be initiated against those violating the order. The measure is intended to protect public water sources at a time when groundwater levels have fallen following lower-than-usual rainfall in the district.
The order also prohibits industries and commercial users from drawing water from small, medium and large government water projects, as well as from rivers, streams and check dams. The available water in these sources has been directed to be reserved for drinking-water requirements and tanker filling.
Individuals, organisations and contractors who breach the restrictions may face action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Maharashtra Groundwater Act, 2009. The order also provides for the seizure of pumps, pipelines and borewell machinery connected with violations.
Implementation responsibility has been assigned to sub-divisional officers, tehsildars, block development officers, the police, and municipal and municipal corporation administrations. These authorities have been instructed to take the necessary steps to enforce the restrictions across their jurisdictions.
The order places public drinking-water sources ahead of private and commercial extraction during a period of reduced groundwater availability. Its operation will continue until the district administration issues further directions.
