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Gurgaon Wells Dry: 80% Fall Silent
20 Oct
Summary
- Eighty percent of documented wells in Gurgaon are inactive.
- A survey found 257 out of 321 wells across three blocks are unused.
- Restoring abandoned wells could significantly recharge groundwater.
A significant number of traditional wells in Gurgaon have become inactive, with a recent survey highlighting that 80% of documented wells across three blocks are no longer in use. Out of 321 wells inventoried, 257 were found to be disused, choked with silt, debris, and waste.
The survey, conducted over a year, revealed that Pataudi block had the highest proportion of inactive wells, followed by the city area and Sohna. This widespread neglect prompts an examination of whether these historical structures can be revived to help recharge groundwater levels.
Water experts note that 78% of inventoried dugwells are inactive, with only a small percentage linked to rainwater harvesting. They advocate for combining traditional knowledge with scientific methods to repurpose abandoned wells as functional assets for groundwater security.
Reasons for the decline include a shift to borewells, falling groundwater availability, and water quality concerns. While some wells remain structurally sound, others are dilapidated or filled with waste, varying in local community willingness for restoration.
Recommendations include individual well assessments, integration into water security plans, and assigning maintenance responsibility. Community participation, water quality checks, and groundwater monitoring are crucial for sustained functionality.
Restoration efforts, like one demonstrated at Khandewla, have shown success. An abandoned dugwell was cleared of waste, and rooftop runoff was connected, capturing approximately five lakh litres of rainwater since its commissioning in 2025.
These restored wells can offer cost-effective, decentralised recharge solutions. The need for improved recharge is underscored by groundwater extraction rates, which stand at about 213% of the annual resource. Potable water demand is also projected to rise sharply.
Measures to address groundwater depletion, discussed in an inter-departmental meeting, include restoring water bodies, rainwater harvesting, and enforcing regulations against unauthorized borewells.
