Maharashtra bans digging borewells below 200 feet

With only three per cent water left in dams in drought-hit Marathwada, the severity of the water crunch has come to the fore, prompting the state government to ban digging of borewells below 200 feet as a check on further depletion of ground water. The decision came close on the heels of the water supply cut to industrial units including breweries in the severely affected Aurangabad district.

Water supply and sanitation minister Babanrao Lonikar, while speaking to reporters at his office in Mantralaya, said any violation of the decision on borewells would invite action under the “Maharashtra Groundwater Development and Management Act” where violators could face fine or even imprisonment.

\"The provisions of the concerned Act have to be implemented strictly due to severe drought conditions prevalent and depletion of water stock. We have spoken to all senior officials and decided to ban digging of borewells below 200 feet,\" said Mr Lonikar. He said that with the amount of water being drawn out from the ground, it was imperative to control digging of borewells which would eventually help in averting drought-related problems. “While the Act will be implemented strictly, we require participation of the people. Everyone needs to come forward and help us save ground water,\" he said.

According to an official of the state irrigation department, dams across the state have only 19 per cent water left as compared to 32 per cent at this time last year. In Marathwada, eight of the region's 11 major dams are at dead storage level, which means water from the reservoirs cannot flow out but have to be lifted. \"It is down to only three per cent,\" the official said.

Aurangabad divisional commissioner, Umakant Dangat, said, “This is a drastic decline in water storage as at this time last year, the water level in Marathwada's dams was much higher at 11 per cent. We will also use the groundwater stock and as the IMD forecast is good, we hope we will be able to carry on till the monsoon arrives.”

State water resources minister Girish Mahajan said, “We have already cut water supply to industries. The collectors and divisional commissioners have been instructed that use of water for drinking is top priority.”

“The government has sanctioned Rs 750 crore for water distribution, out of which, Rs 500 crore has been provided to district collectors. This money will be used for 17 different works like providing water tankers, changing of pipelines and burnt pumps, fixing of leakages in water tanks etc.,” Mr Lonikar said.