India’s Groundwater Crisis

1. Northern and Central India: Agriculture-Induced Stress

Punjab and Haryana

• The states of Punjab and Haryana are at the epicentre of India’s groundwater crisis. Satellite data shows that from 2003 to 2020, they collectively lost 64.6 BCM of groundwater. 
• In Punjab alone, there are over 15 lakh tubewells, compared to 1.9 lakh in 1970. More than 80% of Punjab’s blocks are now ‘over-exploited’, drawing 164 units of water for every 100 units recharged. Similarly, Haryana extracts 136 units for every 100 units recharged.
• The practice of paddy cultivation in this semi-arid region, encouraged during the Green Revolution, has contributed heavily to this crisis. 
• Paddy requires 3,000–5,000 litres of water per kg, making it extremely water-intensive. Subsidised electricity further incentivizes excessive extraction. 
• The water table is declining by 0.5 metres annually, with farmers in districts like Sangrur drilling borewells up to 55 metres deep.
• Groundwater contamination is another problem—arsenic, fluoride, uranium, and chloride ions have been detected in several locations, making water unfit for drinking.
  
  

Uttar Pradesh

• The state extracts 71 units per 100 units of recharge, but this hides a stark regional disparity. 
• Western Uttar Pradesh, especially areas like the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, practices intensive rice and sugarcane cultivation, leading to ‘over-exploited’ aquifers. Urban expansion has worsened the crisis. By contrast, eastern UP, which receives more rainfall, has healthier aquifers.
• In 2017, 11% of UP’s blocks were already over-exploited—a number that has likely grown since.
  
  

Rajasthan

• India’s driest state, Rajasthan draws a staggering 149 units of groundwater for every 100 units recharged, making it the most over-exploited state in proportionate terms. 
• In 2022, 203 out of 249 blocks were either critical or over-exploited. Though Rajasthan has limited paddy cultivation, its other crops—cotton, mustard, and wheat—are supported by tubewells. 
• The use of deep aquifers, often contaminated with fluoride and salt, has led to serious health issues such as fluorosis.
• On a positive note, Rajasthan has made strides in rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge, especially through the Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan, which has helped improve water levels in over 50% of monitored wells.
  
  

2. Western India: Drought-Prone and Sugarcane-Intensive

Maharashtra

• Although Maharashtra’s average extraction rate is moderate (54 per 100 units recharged), specific regions like Marathwada and western Maharashtra are severely stressed. 
• In Marathwada, recurring monsoon failures and the prevalence of cash crops like sugarcane and cotton have caused groundwater depletion. Borewells as deep as 90–250 metres have been dug. In 2016, water had to be transported by train to districts like Latur.
• In western Maharashtra, districts such as Pune, Ahmednagar, Sangli, Solapur, and Satara rely heavily on borewells to support sugarcane and horticulture, despite some canal coverage.
• As of 2023, 16% of talukas were classified as ‘semi-critical’, and **5% as ‘critical’ or ‘over-exploited’’.
  
  

3. Southern India: Monsoon-dependent and Urbanising

Tamil Nadu

• Tamil Nadu depends heavily on northeast monsoon and groundwater. Between 2002–2012, extraction exceeded recharge by 8%. In 2017, 89% of wells showed declining levels, especially in northern and western districts like Tiruvallur.
• Despite progressive policies like mandatory rainwater harvesting (2003) and the construction of desalination plants, the state’s groundwater usage remains unsustainable. In 2024, Tamil Nadu extracted 14.45 BCM, of which 13.51 BCM (93.5%) went to irrigation.
• Chennai alone used 127.5% of its recharge in 2023. Coastal aquifers have turned saline due to seawater intrusion, a result of over-pumping.