The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board regulates pollution in India's most populous state. It grants consent to establish and operate under the Water and Air Acts, issues authorisations under the waste rules, inspects industries, and issues notices and directions. Its headquarters is in Lucknow, and its regional offices handle most day-to-day work, including offices serving Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Kanpur, Agra and other industrial districts.
For units in western UP, the UPPCB's work is shaped by the National Capital Region: Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Baghpat and other districts fall in NCR, where the Commission for Air Quality Management's directions and GRAP apply. Elsewhere, the board's work is shaped by river protection, especially along the Ganga, with long-running attention to tanneries in Kanpur and industries along the river. Groundwater in UP is regulated under the state's own law. This page explains how to deal with the UPPCB on consents, inspections, notices and compensation.
हिंदी में सारांश
उत्तर प्रदेश प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (UPPCB) जल और वायु अधिनियम के तहत कंसेंट, कचरा प्राधिकरण, निरीक्षण और नोटिस का काम करता है। मुख्यालय लखनऊ में है और नोएडा, ग्रेटर नोएडा, गाज़ियाबाद, मेरठ, कानपुर जैसे क्षेत्रीय कार्यालय रोज़मर्रा का काम देखते हैं। कंसेंट के आवेदन राज्य के सिंगल विंडो सिस्टम से होते हैं। पश्चिमी UP के NCR ज़िलों में CAQM और GRAP के नियम भी लागू हैं, और भूजल पर UP का अपना कानून है।
Is this your situation?
- You run a unit in Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad or Meerut
- You need CTE or CTO from the UPPCB
- Your consent renewal is pending or overdue
- You received a UPPCB show-cause notice or closure direction
- You run a tannery, sugar mill, distillery or paper mill in UP
- Your borewell needs registration or NOC under the UP law
- Your construction site in NCR UP was fined for dust
The UPPCB at a glance
Consents
CTE and CTO for industries and projects, through the state single window system.
Regional offices
Day-to-day consents and enforcement through regional offices in each industrial district.
NCR districts
CAQM directions and GRAP apply in western UP's NCR districts.
River protection
Close attention to industries discharging into the Ganga and its tributaries.
Groundwater
Regulated under the UP Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019.
Enforcement
Notices, closure, disconnection and compensation.
Applying for consent in UP
Consent applications in Uttar Pradesh are made online through the state's single window system for investors, which routes them to the UPPCB, along with other departmental approvals. The regional office for the district examines the application, may inspect the site, and recommends or decides, depending on the category and delegation. Documents typically include land and allotment papers (for example from Noida, Greater Noida or YEIDA authorities or UPSIDA), building plans, process descriptions, pollution control designs, capital investment certificates and, where applicable, groundwater registration.
The November 2024 exemptions for white category units and EC holders apply in UP, as do the January 2025 consent guidelines on timelines. Where an application is delayed, follow up with the regional office in writing, and escalate under the guidelines where needed. See consent to establish.
Western UP and NCR rules
Units in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad and other NCR districts must comply with CAQM's standing directions, including the ban on coal and unapproved fuels for industry, DG set restrictions, and dust control rules for construction sites of 500 square metres or more. GRAP restrictions apply as air quality worsens, with closure of non-compliant units and construction bans at higher stages. The UPPCB's regional offices in Noida and Ghaziabad, along with development authorities and district administrations, enforce these rules, often through joint drives.
Industrial areas such as Sahibabad, Loni, Kavi Nagar, Meerut Road and the Noida phases have frequent inspections in winter. Units should ensure their fuel, gensets and consent are in order before the season. See NCR, GRAP and CAQM compliance.
Rivers, tanneries and the Ganga
Along the Ganga and its tributaries, the UPPCB enforces strict rules on effluent discharge, often under directions from the NGT and the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Tanneries in Kanpur and Unnao, sugar mills, distilleries, paper mills and textile units have been subject to closure orders, zero liquid discharge requirements and CETP-related conditions. During major religious gatherings such as the Kumbh, polluting industries upstream have been directed to stop discharges or operations for specified periods. Units in these sectors should expect close monitoring, including online monitoring connected to the board.
How to deal with the UPPCB
Identify the regional office
The office that covers your district.
Apply through the single window
With complete documents and fees.
Follow up in writing
Track queries and inspections.
Prepare for inspections
Documents ready, responsible person present.
Reply to notices in time
Point by point, with evidence.
Appeal if needed
To the appellate authority or the NGT.
Groundwater under the UP Act
Uttar Pradesh regulates groundwater through the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019, which requires registration of borewells for non-agricultural uses and NOCs for commercial, industrial, infrastructure and bulk users, through the state's groundwater department. The UPPCB checks groundwater permission when granting consent and during inspections. Units that rely on old CGWA applications should check whether they now need registration or NOC under the state law. See groundwater NOC.
Notices, closure and compensation
UPPCB notices commonly allege operation without consent, effluent exceeding standards, non-functional treatment plants, unapproved fuels in NCR, hazardous waste lapses and groundwater use without permission. Closure directions may be accompanied by disconnection of electricity through the distribution company. After the Supreme Court's August 2025 ruling in DPCC v Lodhi Property, the board's power to demand environmental compensation and bank guarantees where damage is caused or imminent is settled. Reply within the time given, with evidence of facts and corrective action, and seek a hearing. See closure notice reply.
Time and typical cost
Our fees are agreed in writing at the start, stage by stage. They are not linked to the outcome.
| Stage | Usual time | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Consent application | 30 to 60 days by category under the 2025 guidelines; often longer | UPPCB fee; our fee |
| Reply to notice | Within the time stated | Our fee |
| Revocation of closure | Often 1 to 3 weeks after a complete application | Inspection; possible bank guarantee |
| Groundwater registration or NOC | Varies | State department fee |
| Appeal | Within 30 days | Our fee |
UPPCB matters by region
| Region | Typical issues |
|---|---|
| Noida and Greater Noida | Construction dust, DG sets, groundwater, electronics and garment units |
| Ghaziabad and Sahibabad | Fuel use, effluent into drains, closure drives |
| Meerut | Sugar, paper and small industry effluent, NCR rules |
| Kanpur and Unnao | Tanneries, CETP, Ganga discharges |
| Agra | Taj Trapezium Zone restrictions on industry |
| Western UP sugar belt | Sugar mills, distilleries, molasses and spent wash |
Documents usually needed
Unit
- Land and allotment documents
- Consents and authorisations
Operations
- Process and production data
- Monitoring reports and logbooks
- Groundwater registration or NOC
Enforcement
- Notices and inspection reports
- Correspondence with the regional office
Laws that apply
Consents and directions administered by the UPPCB.
State regime for groundwater.
Air quality rules in UP's NCR districts.
Waste authorisations and other functions.
How we work
We are a litigation and advisory practice led by Advocate BK Singh, with offices in Dwarka (New Delhi) and Vaishali (Ghaziabad). This is what you can expect:
- Near the regional offices: our Vaishali office serves Ghaziabad and Noida.
- Consents through the single window: prepared and followed up.
- Fast responses: to notices and closures.
- Groundwater under the UP Act: sorted alongside consent.
- Written fee terms: agreed stage by stage, never linked to the outcome.
Mistakes we see with UPPCB matters
- Relying on an old CGWA application in UP
- Using unapproved fuel in NCR districts
- Not replying to regional office queries on the portal
- Discharging into drains without CETP arrangements
- Assuming a renewal is automatic
A Sahibabad unit closed on fuel
Here's a made-up example. A Sahibabad plastics unit was closed during a winter drive for using an unapproved fuel in its boiler.
The unit switched to piped gas, obtained the conversion certificate and gas bills, and applied for revocation through our office. The regional office inspected and revoked the direction within ten days, with a condition of monthly fuel reports.
A Noida society's borewell
Here's a second made-up example. A Noida housing society received a notice for using borewells without permission.
We registered the borewells under the UP Act, applied for an NOC with a recharge plan and meters, and replied to the notice with the applications. The authority allowed use under conditions pending the NOC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPPCB?
The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, the state board under the Water and Air Acts.
How do I apply for consent in UP?
Through the state's single window system, routed to the UPPCB.
Which office handles my unit?
The UPPCB regional office for your district.
Do NCR rules apply in Noida and Ghaziabad?
Yes, CAQM directions and GRAP apply in UP's NCR districts.
Who regulates groundwater in UP?
The state under the UP Ground Water Act, 2019.
Can the UPPCB close my unit?
Yes, through directions including disconnection.
Can it demand compensation?
Yes, where damage is caused or imminent.
What is the Taj Trapezium Zone?
An area around the Taj Mahal with restrictions on polluting industry under Supreme Court orders.
How long does consent take?
30 to 60 days by category under the 2025 guidelines, though often longer.
Can I appeal a UPPCB order?
Yes, to the appellate authority or the NGT depending on the order.
Do you appear before the UPPCB?
Yes, especially in Noida, Ghaziabad and western UP.
Do you handle Kanpur tannery matters?
Yes, online and through appearances on brief.
UPPCB Matter to Handle?
Send us your notice or application details. We will advise on the next steps.
This page gives general information about environmental law as it stood when it was last reviewed. It is not legal advice on your case and does not promise any result. Environmental rules, EPR targets, GRAP measures and board procedures change often, so check the current position for your unit or project before acting.
Need help with Dealing With the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board?
Send us the notice, the order or a few photos. We'll tell you where you stand, which authority or NGT bench deals with it and when the next step is due, in plain words.
