The Ground Water department has recently released a concerning report highlighting the escalating water crisis in Uttar Pradesh. The focus of the report is on 10 urban areas, with the population exceeding one million, where groundwater extraction rates and declining water levels have reached critical levels.
Aligarh faces alarming groundwater extraction rates exceeding 411 per cent. In contrast, Prayagraj is witnessing the state’s fastest decline in groundwater levels.
Based on surveys conducted in these cities, the Ground Water department has urged the formulation of an action plan to address the situation. The department emphasises the importance of storing as much rainwater as possible during the current monsoon season to replenish groundwater levels.
Among the 10 selected urban areas, Aligarh stands out as the city with the highest groundwater extraction rate. The standard guideline suggests that groundwater withdrawal should not exceed the amount replenished by annual rainfall. However, Aligarh’s extraction rate exceeds 411 per cent, a severe overexploitation of resources.
Conversely, Kanpur is the only city listed as critical, with a groundwater extraction rate of 94.49 per cent. The remaining cities, including Agra, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Moradabad, Prayagraj and Varanasi, are classified as overexploited.
Compounding the water crisis, Prayagraj is witnessing an alarming decline in groundwater levels at a rate of 285 centimetres annually. This situation demands urgent attention and effective measures to prevent further depletion.
“Responsibility lies with both the public and the authorities for the current state of affairs. The Municipal Corporation of Aligarh, established 25 years ago with 50 wards, has since expanded to 90 wards. Regrettably, 39 of these wards still lack a government-level water supply system. Efforts are underway through the Amrut Yojana to provide water supply to these areas, with the benefits expected to reach the public by next year,” said Shirish Jain, an expert in groundwater source and replenishment.
In the absence of rivers or canals, Aligarh’s reliance on groundwater extraction through taps and submersibles has increased. Additionally, the city’s ponds and puddles have also been occupied, leaving no natural sources of water. The conversion of a minor canal into a drain has further exacerbated the crisis. The city’s industrial activities, including hardware polishing and numerous meat factories, significantly contribute to water consumption.
Prayagraj faces similar challenges due to its industrial nature and poor rainwater accumulation and drainage practices.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated efforts to promote water conservation as a mass movement. Ten districts have been identified for focused work in this regard. Furthermore, water conservation has been integrated into the Namami Gange campaign.
The Atal Bhujal Yojana and other schemes aim to implement water conservation measures in 65 districts. These initiatives involve studying the groundwater levels of each district and constructing piezometers equipped with digital water level recorders to provide real-time groundwater data. The historical groundwater levels of the past five years will be assessed through this network of piezometers.
Currently, the Atal Ground Water scheme is being implemented in 26 blocks across various districts and public participation campaigns are actively going on.
The water crisis demands the attention of all stakeholders. It is imperative to halt the installation of submersibles, a key focus of the government’s awareness campaign. The alarming rates of groundwater extraction in Aligarh and the city’s lack of public awareness pose significant challenges for the future. However, the government is diligently working on a comprehensive plan to tackle this crisis and restore the balance.
Ground Water department Director VK Upadhyay asserts the need for collective efforts and emphasises the ongoing work being carried out to address the water crisis.
The situation demands immediate action and a united front to conserve and sustainably manage the state’s precious water resources.