• In a bid to improve groundwater management, the government launched the Bhu-Neer portal, a centralised platform for managing groundwater withdrawal permits.

• The portal was launched during the concluding ceremony of India Water Week 2024.

• Digitally unveiled by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, the platform aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability in groundwater usage across the country.

• This portal will serve as a one-stop platform for managing and regulating groundwater resources, aimed at ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in groundwater usage.

• Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it replaces the older NOCAP system with advanced features designed to simplify the permit process and ensure seamless compliance with groundwater regulations.

• Its centralised database will allow users to access critical information on groundwater compliance, policies, and sustainable practices.

• The key innovations in the portal include a PAN-based single ID system, a user-friendly interface and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs), making the process entirely digital and faceless.

• The portal provides comprehensive details on groundwater policies, legal frameworks and sustainable practices, serving as a vital resource for project proponents and stakeholders.

• Businesses and individuals seeking groundwater withdrawal permits can use it to track application statuses, make payments and access guidance on compliance.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)