Noida readies plan to recharge groundwater

According to the Central Ground Water Authority, the groundwater level in Noida is under "stress" and has reached critical dimensions

  • Updated On Apr 17, 2016 at 10:36 AM IST
NOIDA: The Noida Authority is planning to roll out a master plan to recharge groundwater for the next 30 years to avert a drought. The Authority is set to initiate a request for proposal (RFP) for selecting a consultant for the project next week.

Once appointed, the expert will conduct a survey of the city before submitting a proposal. According to the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), the groundwater level in Noida is under "stress" and has reached critical dimensions, which means the city could face a serious water shortage in the years to come unless its groundwater is adequately recharged.

Officials said, there is a need to address and be cautious about the falling groundwater levels. "After the inception of Noida, the land-use pattern in the area changed from mainly agricultural to industrial and residential. Also rapid urbanisation has led to depletion in groundwater levels," said Saumya Srivastava, deputy CEO (DCEO), Noida Authority. "Taking note of the issue, we have therefore decided to have a master plan in place, which will help in recharging groundwater levels," he said.

Explaining the role of the consultant, Srivastava said he would be responsible for carrying out an intensive survey of the entire city to determine the critical areas and the present groundwater levels. "The consultant will also help in determining the supply and demand of groundwater in the next 30 years," Srivastava said. "We will also seek methods to enhance groundwater levels," he said.

Officials said, once the consultant is hired, the survey report should be in place within six months.

"Implementation of the recommendations in keeping with the master plan will be done after that. We are also writing to all government offices located in Noida to inform us whether they have installed a water harvesting system in their buildings. Where there are no systems, the Noida Authority will offer to install them on a no-profit basis," the DCEO said. "Our project engineers have also been directed to survey villages of Noida to identify encroached ponds and have them revamped, so that they can be turned into water catchment bodies," he said.

Meanwhile, the Authority is keeping a close scrutiny on water levels in Noida and especially on how developers source their water for construction purposes. As per an order by the NGT, the usage of groundwater for any construction work is prohibited in the NCR. The Noida Authority supplies treated water to all builders at a low price for the purpose. of construction.
  • Published On Apr 17, 2016 at 10:29 AM IST
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