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Delhi eyes O-zone borewells for summer water
23 Mar
Summary
- Delhi seeks NGT nod to use 100+ borewells in eco-sensitive O-zone.
- Proposed borewells aim to add 30-40 million gallons daily.
- Over 40% of Delhi's groundwater is already overexploited, experts warn.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has submitted a proposal to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) requesting authorization to operationalize more than 100 borewells. These borewells are situated in the O-zone, an ecologically sensitive area along the Yamuna floodplains where construction is generally prohibited. The objective is to significantly augment the city's water supply in anticipation of the increased demand during the upcoming summer months.
Officials estimate that once functional, these borewells could contribute an additional 30-40 million gallons of water daily to Delhi's supply. This initiative is part of broader efforts to bridge the gap between the city's current water supply capacity of approximately 1,000 MGD and its peak demand, estimated at around 1,260 MGD.
However, the plan has raised concerns among environmental experts. Data from the Central Groundwater Board indicates that nearly 41.49% of Delhi's geographical area is already classified as 'overexploited' due to excessive groundwater withdrawal. Experts warn that further extraction from deeper aquifers could increase contamination risks and is not a sustainable long-term solution for water scarcity.
