Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India

Ground Water is a Precious National Resource - Preserve it, Protect it and Don't Pollute it.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

R&D Programme of Ministry of Water Resources :-

Ministry of Water Resources provides financial assistance to promote research work in the field of Water Resources Engineering. The assistance is provided by way of grants to academicians/experts in the Universities, IITs, recognized R&D laboratories, Water Resources/Irrigation departments of the Central and State Governments and NGOs. Research proposals of applied nature as well as basic research are considered for MoWR support.

Indian National Committee on Ground Water (INCGW)

The Indian National Committee on Ground Water (INCGW) has been constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, with a view to accelerate the research & development programmes in ground water sector and giving due consideration to increased need of taking up research in the field of Ground Water. Chairman, Central Ground Water Board is Chairman of INCGW. The committee has 15 eminent experts in the field of ground water as its members.

The Committee has been entrusted with the following functions –

To give advice to Central and State Governments and their agencies on matters related to ground water; to appoint expert panels to consider special problems to advice the committee.
To prepare and periodically update the state of art in the country in different branches of Ground Water; to disseminate information related to ground water by way of publishing journals, research news/ digests; to support and conduct mass awareness programme like seminars/ conference/ workshops; and to arrange R & D review sessions for ground water;
To undertake studies on historical appreciation of development of ground water and introduce perspective planning for research in Ground Water,
To recommend funding for the infrastructure development of ground water research institutions; to recommend recognition of Centers of Excellence in ground water; to maintain effective cooperation with other National Committees/ Boards, related GOI/State Ministries, CSIR Labs, IITs, Engineering Colleges and Polytechnics, Universities and other academic institutions.
To coordinate the R & D activities in ground water in general and to coordinate R & D programme of the MoWR in particular; to monitor the progress made by the executing institutions on research schemes; to identify areas which need immediate attention; to avoid overlaps in the research programmes of the different institutions, to invite and encourage R & D proposals in areas where work being done is inadequate; to encourage the national institutions, voluntary, professionals bodies and non commercial NGO’s to take up R & D in Ground Water.
To promote HRD programmes leading to specialization of research staff and recommend encouragement for the outstanding research personnel
To promote and coordinate effective participation of India in the international programmes related to Ground Water and act as national committee for such international bodies.
To encourage indigenous industry through loans to take up technological development of Ground Water where required.

Subject Domain :

Ground Water Recharge
Ground Water Quality
Climate Change
Ground water-Surface water interrelation
Ground water management
GIS & Remote sensing
Geophysical Investigation
Mathematical /Simulation modeling

Research Categories

Research and related activities for which grant in aid from MoWR can be sought shall cover one or more from the following list.

Basic Research
Applied Research
Action Research
Education & Training
Mass Awareness on Water Resources Development
Infrastructure Development
Creation of Centres of Excellence

Who can be funded

Funding is provided to the following :

R&D institutes/labs of the Central or State Govt.
Organisations under MoWR
Universities and Educational Institutes, Engineering and Agricultural Colleges, IITs
WALMIs, NGOs, non-profit making private R&D institutions/organization.

Procedure for Application

Applications for research grants are to be submitted on the proforma as prescribed in the guidelines of the Ministry of Water Resources. Five copies of the proposal need to be submitted to the Member Secretary, INCGW at the address given below :

Member Secretary, INCGW
Central Ground Water Board
Gallery No. 18/11, Jam Nagar House
Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011

For detail Guidelines and Proforma of Application for Research Grants. (click here)
For rates of salaries of research staff (click here)
Proposals that do not undertake investigation of any new techniques, which are more in nature of data collection and application of known techniques to the data, proposals that are site specific, proposals which confine to laboratory studies only and do not include a plan for field trials, proposal where the end user of the new technique is not clearly identified will be given lower priority.

Priority Areas of Research in Groundwater Domain

Groundwater quality: processes, contamination, prevention, remediation
The physical, chemical and biological processes in the unsaturated zone and in the saturated zone.
Aquifers protection from deterioration of the water quality; to prevent pollution, and remediate the quality in areas where it has been degraded.
Management of aquifers with waters of different qualities
Rock-groundwater interaction with special emphasis on mobilization of geogenic chemicals
Radon in groundwater and its Health/natural Hazard implication

Climate change and groundwater - impact and adaptation. Possible ground water repositories and sanctuary wells.

Groundwater - surface water - saline water
Relationship between the coastal plain’s shallow aquifers, surface water, and the first confined aquifer.
Relationship between the transfer of contaminants and waste discharges from land and surface waters to shallow aquifers and vice versa.
Saline and potable groundwater interface in coastal and inland regions.

Groundwater fluxes – recharge & discharge mechanism, quantification and management in varied geological/climatic setup

Groundwater flow and contaminant transport mechanism. Application of isotope techniques

Delineation of aquifer geometry and appraisal of precise storativity and yield of aquifer

Pumping back of treated effluent through injection wells in coastal areas to check saline water ingress.

Eco-hydrogeology.

Carbon sequestration in saline ground water reservoir and its implications.

Completed Projects

Sl. No.	Title of Scheme	Name of P1 & Institute	Status
1.	2.	3.
1.	Geohydrological Study for augmentation of spring discharge in Western Himalaya	Dr. G.C. S. Negi, G.P. Pant Inst. of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora	Completed
2.	Study of fluvial geomorphology and tectonics of Khari-Mashi drainage basin, Rajasthan for data base preparation and ground water recharge capability assessment.	Dr. S. Sinha Ray, Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle, Jaipur – 302001, Rajasthan	Completed
3.	Ground Water Flow Modeling and aquifer vulnerability assessment studies in Yamuna – Krishni Sub basin, Muzaffarnagar Distt., U.P.	Dr. Rashid Umar, Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University.	Completed
4.	Institutional framework for regulating use of ground water in India	Prof. Kamta Prasad, Chairman, Institute for Resource Management and Economic Development, 2-B, Institutional Area, Karkardooma, Delhi – 110 092.	Completed
5.	Development of Models for the clean up of Cr (VI) contaminated Aquifers using bio-remediation	Dr. Ligy Philip, Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai – 600036.	Completed

Gist of Completed Projects

Geohydrological Study for augmentation of spring discharge in Western Himalaya - Dr. G.C. S. Negi, G.P. Pant Inst. of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora

The author has attempted to understand the effect of rainfall, physiography, lithology, slope and aspect, land use practices, vegetation, altitude, soil type and anthropogenic interference (e.g., road construction and settlement etc.) and other characteristics in the spring recharge zone on the water yield and water quality of the 5 selected springs in the mid-altitudinal belt (lesser Himalaya) in western Himalaya (Uttarakhand). In this belt most of the human settlement has taken place and the need for spring water augmentation is most pressing. This investigation has suggested recharge zone characteristics ideal for spring discharge and water augmentation in the springs.

For detailed report (click here)

Institutional framework for regulating use of ground water in India

capability assessment - Prof. Kamta Prasad, Chairman, Institute for Resource Management and Economic Development, 2-B, Institutional Area, Karkardooma, Delhi – 110 092.

In this study, the author has made an attempt to examine the adequacy of existing institutional framework in regulating utilization of ground water in respect of Over-exploited, Critical and Semi-critical areas. He has evaluated the efficacy of the ground water regulation system in providing access to ground water on equitable basis to the weaker section of the society. An in-depth study was conducted by the author in 6 selected states viz. Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal. From each state one district (2 districts in case of Delhi) was selected. From each district, 2 blocks (1 block in case of Delhi) and from each block 3 villages and a small town were selected. From each sample village, 10 ground water user households and from each town, 15 ground water user households (subject to availability) were selected for study. Information for the study was collected from both secondary as well as primary sources with greater reliance on primary sources through field surveys at the grass root level. The study has suggested that a multi-pronged approach is needed to deal with such a complex matter as declining ground water levels. The study has suggested a set of action points.

For detailed report (click here)

Ground Water Flow Modeling and aquifer vulnerability assessment studies in Yamuna – Krishni Sub basin, Muzaffarnagar Distt., U.P – Dr. Rashid Umar, Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University.

The study aimed at development and improvement of water balance of an aquifer incorporating natural condition of flow system and demarcation of aquifer zone vulnerable to contaminations and feasibility study of its mitigation in Yamuna Krishni Sub-basin. The study has elaborated the groundwater situation in the area with details of the system conditions with a greater certainty. The author has suggested that strict controls on groundwater abstraction need to be introduced in order to manage the groundwater resources of the Yamuna-Krishni sub-basin. Based on the findings of the study, the author has suggested management interventions like controlled abstraction, artificial recharge, development of deeper aquifers, ground water legislation, conjunctive use etc.

For detailed report (click here)

Development of Models for the clean up of Cr (VI) contaminated Aquifers using bio-remediation – Dr. Ligy Philip, Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai – 600036.

The study focused on understanding the transport and biotransformation of hexavalent chromium in contaminated aquifers through batch experiments, bench- scale column studies, pilot scale studies including bio-barriers and reactive zones. The data from batch experiments was used to propose a mathematical model for simulating the processes of Cr(VI) reduction, substrate consumption and bacterial growth during the bio-transformation of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in presence of molasses and bacteria. This model was developed not only for bio-transformation by chromium reducing bacteria (CRB) alone but also for bio-transformation of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by CRB, iron reducing bacteria (IRB), and sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) in presence of molasses, Fe and sulphates. The mathematical models were validated using the pilot scale experimental studies. It was demonstrated how the proposed mathematical models can be linked to optimization models in a simulation-optimization framework in order to arrive at an optimal design of bio-barriers. The mathematical models were also applied to study the viability of reaction zone technology for remediating contaminated aquifers.

For detailed report (click here)

Study of fluvial geomorphology and tectonics of Khari-Mashi drainage basin, Rajasthan for data base preparation and ground water recharge capability assessment-PI- Dr. S. Sinha Ray, Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

An attempt has been made by the author to study the response of the fluvial processes depicted in various geomorphic units and stream network characteristics in order to understand their role and possible contribution in ground water recharge in Khari Mashi drainage basin, Rajasthan. The study deals with assessment of ground water recharge potentials and delineation of suitable recharge zones in the basin. The author utilised two approaches (i) using Thematic Data Overlay Analysis and (ii) Quantitative Matrix Analysis to identify the most favourable and potential ground water recharge domains.

Ongoing Projects

Sl. No.	Title of Scheme	Name of P1 & Institute	Status
1.	2.	3.
1.	Causes effects and remedial measures of Arsenic contamination in ground water aquifers in parts of West Bengal	State Water Investigation Directorate, Govt. Of West Bengal	Work completed. Report awaited
2.	Ground water behaviour in Connate water areas and hard rock terrain of Orissa with respect to different schedules of pumping and varied draw-down conditions (For details click here)	Chief Engineer & Director, DGWS&I, Deptt. of Water Resources, Govt. of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar & Regional Director, CGWB, SER, Bhubaneshwar	On-going
3.	R & D cum action awareness project on rain water harvesting, ground water recharge and waste water reuse	Prof. S.A. Abbasi, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Pondicherry	Proposed for foreclosure
4.	Study on Ground Water Contamination through Municipal Land fills in the NCT, Delhi	Dr. A.L. Ramanathan, Associate Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, JNU, New Delhi.	Final Report submitted
5.	Development of defluoridation Media for contaminated ground water and its lab to field Application.	Dr. Uday Chand Ghosh, Deptt. of Chemistry, Presidency College, Kolkata	Final Report submitted
6.	Identification of sites for artificial ground water recharge in Upper Ganga Plains, using remote sensing – GIS	Dr. R.P. Gupta, Dept. of Earth Sciences, IIT, Roorkee, Uttarakhand	Final Report submitted
7.	Integration of Fuzzy Logic and GIS for delineating ground water source areas in Bazada land of Solani River Basin.	Sh. O.P. Dubey, Regional Director, Irrigation Research Institute, Roorkee	Proposed for foreclosure
8.	Spatio-temporal modeling of ground water quality using artificial neural network (For details click here)	Dr. K.P. Sudheer, Associate Prof., Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Madras, Chennai – 600036	Ongoing
9.	Developing a Methodology for Evaluating the Impact of Rain water harvesting in Urban Areas (For details click here)	Dr. G. Ravi Kumar, Asstt. Prof. in Civil Engg., Deptt. Of Chemical Engg., AC Tech Anna University, Chennai – 600025	Ongoing
10.	Assessment of hydrogeochemical impacts of shrimp farming on coastal watershed (For details click here)	Dr. Nila Rekha, Senior Scientist, Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture, Chennai	Ongoing
11.	Development of Nanofiltration Membrane Technology for Drinking Water Purification and Water Reclamation for Industrial Use (For details click here)	Dr. Paramita Ray, Scientist, Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat	Ongoing
12.	Vulnerability assessment and ground water management studies in aquifers of Pondicherry (For details click here)	Dr. S. Chidambaram, Associate Professor, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University	Ongoing

CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD