In 5 years, groundwater fell by 0.53 metres from ground level

Bhubaneswar: Water level has depleted by an average of 0.53 metres below ground level in the last five years, while the extraction of groundwater is gradually increasing in the state, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi told the assembly here on Thursday.
According to the data provided by Majhi in his reply, the extraction of groundwater is gradually increasing. The state extracted 7.74 billion cubic metres (BCM) of groundwater in 2024 against 6.86 BCM of groundwater in 2020. For irrigation purposes, the state extracted 6.28 BCM of groundwater in 2024 against 5.5 BCM of groundwater in 2020, according to the data.
In Aug last year, Majhi had told the assembly that the pre-monsoon groundwater table had depleted by 0.47% in the state in the past 10 years. Tribal-dominated Malkangiri (-24.44), Rayagada (-20.09), and Gajapati (-16.43) witnessed the steepest fall. If considered district-wise, the groundwater table improved in 15 districts and depleted in the remaining 15.
Attributing the fall in groundwater level to rising urbanisation and climate change, the CM said a proposal to frame rules to implement the Odisha Ground Water (Regulation, Development and Management) Act, 2011 is under active consideration of the state govt. After rules are framed, monitoring and management of groundwater will be done by the Odisha Groundwater Authority. Currently, the Central Ground Water Authority monitors the groundwater level, said the previous reply.
Though the Act was notified way back in 2012, it has not been implemented pending the framing of rules, govt sources said. Under the Act, an Odisha Ground Water Authority (OGWA) led by the water resources secretary will be formed for monitoring and regulating groundwater, sources said.
OGWA will conduct periodic censuses on groundwater levels, identify the problematic areas, and notify them. In notified areas, people have to get permission from the authority to dig wells, except for domestic use and for agriculture purposes to some extent. Once formed, the authority will also decide on giving permission to use groundwater for industry and commercial purposes.