The Hindu : Delhi's water table sinking

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 02, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Delhi's water table sinking

By Anjali Malhotra

NEW DELHI, APRIL 1. Even before the arrival of long months of scorching heat, the Capital's water table does not read well. A declining trend has been noticed in Delhi's general water table during monitoring by the Central Ground Water Board for the month of January. In particular, water levels in South and South-West Delhi appear to be the worst affected.

What makes matters worse is that January is not a period during which much change is noted in the water table. "Normally January to January, there is not much change in the water table. The declining trend is noticed in the month of May and afterwards, which are particularly stressful months for the water table. But this time round, a declining trend has been noticed in the month of January itself, which does not augur well,'' revealed a CGWB official. While the water level has actually risen in certain areas, the declining trend noticed in others may spell trouble for the Capital, say officials.

"Since this monitoring was conducted in January, the water level is likely to have fallen more in certain areas. This may pose a problem in the coming summer months,'' said a source.

In South-West Delhi, the maximum decline has been noted in the Ramakrishnapuram area where the water table has fallen by 4.1 metres below ground level (m.bgl). While it stood at 30.21 in January 2003, this year the water level stands at 34. 31 m.bgl. Other areas within South-West Delhi that have recorded a decline are Naraina, Kabul Line, Papankalan, Raota and Shekhawati.

The other district of concern is South Delhi where Lado Sarai has recorded a fall by 2.45 m.bgl in the water table. A decline of 0.5 m.bgl has also been noted at Ghittorni in South Delhi.

A declining trend has also been registered in other monitoring stations around the Capital. The level at Humayun's Tomb in New Delhi has fallen by 5.35 m.bgl coming down from 10.65 m.bgl to 5.30 m.bgl. Similarly, the water level at Shram Shakti Bhavan in New Delhi has fallen from 18.1 m.bgl to 13. 1 m.bgl registering a decline of 5 m.bgl.

In New Delhi, Pachkuian Road and Talkatora are other areas that have registered a decline. Areas in North Delhi like Inter-State Bus Terminus and Burari have also recorded a decline in the water table.

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