Tubewells to tide over crisis

NEW DELHI, July 17: The water crisis that made life miserable for Delhiites this summer may soon be a thing of past. A proposal by the Ce...

NEW DELHI, July 17: The water crisis that made life miserable for Delhiites this summer may soon be a thing of past. A proposal by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is being considered by the government which would augment the water supply by 200 MGD (Million Gallons Daily).

The proposal suggests harnessing of ground water by digging tubewells in the Yamuna flood plains in the National Capital Region (NCR). This will supplement the existing supply of water without depleting the ground water supply. The proposal further states that if the tubewells are dug in the Yamuna flood plains in the entire NCR then 400 MGD of water can be provided from October to June. The government has already commissioned 20 tubewells as part of the project and work is in progress.

The Delhi Government has accepted the proposal in principle and has sought a feasibility report from the Water Authority.

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According to Dr D.K. Chadha, chairman, CGWA: “We have suggested that if 1,000 tubewells are dug, the shortfall of 200 MGD can be supplemented during the months of April, May and June. It is a good way of increasing water supply as the ground water levels as every monsoon, it will be replenished. Therefore, it is an ideal way of augmenting the water supply.”

Delhi is completely dependent on its neighbouring states for drinking water and the continuous increase in population has meant a steady increase in the demand. At present, the demand is 800 MGD and the supply is 600 MGD.

Chadha adds that not only will this project be eco-friendly but is the cheapest way of augmenting the water supply.

“It costs just Rs 1.2 lakh for digging one tubewell. As compared to this, a Ranney well, which is used to draw ground water at present, costs more than a crore. We will not even need to lay any extensive pipelines. A few additional pipes to convey water to the existing pipeline system would be good enough,” he said. The CGWA is currently conducting the feasibility study, which will be completed in January. Says Dr S.B. Singh, officer-in-charge of Delhi: “We will check the quality of the water which requires extensive tests. We have good reason to believe that the ground water in this area is potable. Simple chlorination of water, which is quite inexpensive, will be enough.”