Pune: PMRDA’s Mandatory Groundwater Certificate Delays Building Approvals by Up to Two Months
Pune, 4th August 2026: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has made it mandatory for developers to obtain a groundwater availability certificate from the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA) while seeking approval for new building proposals and occupancy certificates. However, applicants are now facing delays of up to two months due to the time taken by the agency to process applications, affecting several housing projects across the PMRDA region.
The requirement was introduced to ensure that residential projects have a reliable water source before construction approvals and occupancy certificates are granted. Under the revised norms, developers must submit a certificate confirming the availability of water from a borewell or open well, wherever applicable. They are also required to furnish a verification report on actual groundwater availability and install a water treatment system at the project site.
The move comes amid rapid urbanisation across the PMRDA jurisdiction, where several villages and peripheral areas continue to face inadequate water supply infrastructure. In many locations, gram panchayats are unable to provide regular water supply due to limited storage capacity, the absence of sustainable water supply schemes, and inadequate pipeline networks.
As a result, many residential projects face acute water shortages after completion, forcing residents to rely on private water tankers, particularly during the summer months. The issue has frequently led to disputes among residents, developers, and gram panchayats, with complaints eventually reaching the PMRDA.
To address these recurring problems, the authority has made proof of sustainable water availability a prerequisite for granting building permissions and occupancy certificates.
According to the circular, no new or revised building proposal will be approved unless the developer submits satisfactory documentary evidence of a sustainable water source.
However, implementation of the rule has placed significant pressure on the GSDA. As a single district-level office is responsible for processing all applications, officials must conduct site inspections, verify groundwater availability, and carry out laboratory tests to determine whether the water is potable before issuing the certificate.
The extensive verification process has resulted in long waiting periods, with applicants reportedly having to wait nearly two months to obtain the mandatory certificate. Developers have expressed concern that the delay is slowing project approvals and the issuance of occupancy certificates, affecting the timely completion and handover of housing projects across the PMRDA region.
