Groundwater extraction rate alarming in city at 150%

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Bengaluru’s groundwater extraction rate has reached an alarming 150.84 per cent, significantly higher than Delhi's rate of 99.13 per cent, which is classified as "critical," according to a report by the Jal Shakti Ministry released on Monday. The government has assessed groundwater dynamics in several urban areas, including Bengaluru and Delhi, but similar data for Mumbai remains unavailable due to insufficient monitoring. The situation in Bengaluru is particularly concerning. Yelahanka has emerged as the most stressed region, extracting over 225 per cent of its available groundwater resources. Other areas, including Bengaluru North, East and South, reported extraction rates exceeding 200 per cent.

Within Bengaluru City, the groundwater extraction rate stands at 217.4 per cent, highlighting severe overexploitation. The Jal Shakti Minister stressed the need for innovative solutions, pointing to advanced desalination and groundwater recharge technologies as potential measures for water conservation. However, he acknowledged that scaling these technologies poses significant challenges due to infrastructure limitations and feasibility concerns.

Groundwater, which constitutes approximately 30 per cent of the world’s freshwater supply and 99 per cent of the planet's liquid freshwater, is a critical resource. Yet, over-extraction in urban areas like Bengaluru underscores the need for sustainable management practices.