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Systematic
Hydrogeological Surveys
Reappraisal
Hydrogeological Surveys
Groundwater
Exploration
Regional Office Data Centre (RODC)
Regional Chemical Laboratories
Special Studies and Projects
- Groundwater
Surveys in Rajasthan and Gujarat
-
Narmada River
Basin Project
-
Artificial
Recharge Studies
-
Conjunctive Use
Studies
-
Coastal Hydrogeology
- Groundwater
Modelling Studies
Groundwater
Resource Evaluation
Assistance
to State Government and Other Agencies
Central
Ground Water Authority |
Entire area of 1.96 lakh sq. km falling under
the jurisdiction of the regional office covering
the State of Gujarat and U.T. of Daman and Diu
has already been covered under Systematic hydrogeological
surveys. These studies have provided first hand
information regarding the nature and extent of
aquifers, quality of groundwater, availability
of groundwater resources and development aspects.
The studies provided a first level data base for
the State agencies to take up groundwater development
on scientific basis. |
The reappraisal hydrogeological surveys now renamed
as Integrated Ground Water Management Studies
are taken up every 3-5 years in a given area to
understand the changes in groundwater regime over
the years. These studies provide an essential
scientific base for assessing groundwater development
scenario to take appropriate conservation measures,
wherever required. Until March 2003, an area of
about 1.45 lakh sq. km had been reappraised. The
priority is being given to drought prone, over
exploited/critical areas and tribal areas. |
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Extensive groundwater exploration has been carried
out to identify the groundwater worthy areas and
to understand the nature and extent of aquifers,
their hydraulic and hydro-chemical properties,
yield capabilities, etc. Aquifer parameters are
determined through controlled pumping tests in
the well fields, constructed for this purpose.
Exploration for groundwater in Gujarat State commenced
in early fifties (1954) when large areas in Kachchh,
North Gujarat and Coastal Saurashtra were explored
by the CGWB (then ETO). Deep drilling has been
carried down to a maximum depth of 620 m in North
Gujarat. Since then, extensive exploration has
been carried out in the alluvial-sedimentary areas
of North Gujarat, Kachchh, Saurashtra and South
Gujarat regions under various programmes.
Exploratory drilling programmes have also been
taken up in hard rock areas of Saurashtra, South
Gujarat and North Gujarat with maximum drilling
depth of 600m. Groundwater exploration has been
completed in Shetrunji River basin, Ambika-Purna-Mindhola
River basins, Bhadar River basin and parts of
Ozat River basin. About 1200 boreholes have been
drilled in different parts of Gujarat. Apart from
these exploratory wells, more than 250 production
wells have also been constructed for the state
government and other user agencies. Successful
exploratory wells are handed over to the state
government at a nominal cost on no- profit basis.
Extensive exploration by CGWB helped the state
to take up large-scale groundwater development
for agriculture production and drinking water
supply specially during spells of droughts/scarcity. |
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Special
Studies and Projects
Besides, the normal surveys and exploration, following
projects and special studies have been completed.
This project (1971-74) was taken up with UNDP
assistance to evaluate the groundwater development
potential in arid and semi-arid part of western
Rajasthan and North Gujarat. Under this project,
studies were carried out in 11,500 sq. km area
in semi-arid North Gujarat plains lying between
Banas and Sabarmati rivers. Multi-layered aquifer
system down to 600m was deciphered, by extensive
studies including test drilling. Groundwater resources
and development potential were evaluated. A mathematical
model was prepared to elaborate and support the
recommendations.
The study indicated availability of surplus groundwater
resources in western and south western parts and
that the first confined aquifer was over exploited.
Studies for artificial recharge and reduction
in groundwater draft were suggested as remedial
measures.
Under this project (1971-75) extensive groundwater
exploration in about 3200 sq. km area in the outfall
area of Narmada Basin falling in the districts
of Vadodara and Bharuch of Gujarat State was carried
out. The studies revealed that the groundwater
development has reached a stage where further
strain on the system may result in salinity ingress
near the coast.
During the year 1980 to 1985 a Pilot Project on
artificial recharge of groundwater was taken up
with UNDP assistance in Mahesana district in North
Gujarat and coastal area of Saurashtra near Veraval.
These studies established technical feasibility
and economic viability of artificial recharge
of groundwater in over-exploited aquifers using
various techniques.
Prominent
Schemes completed by WCR
Pilot
project study under UNDP, Mahesana & Coastal
Saurashtra
Recharge
through Injection well and storm water basin
Gujarat High
Court, Sola, Ahmedabad
Recharge
through Injection wells
Physical
Research Laboratory (PRL)
Recharge
through Injection wells
IIFCO
Colony (Kasturinagar), Sertha Village, Gandhinagar
Recharge
through Trench and Injection Well
Indraprastha
Nagar (New Dudhai), Kachchh District
Roof
Top Rainwater harvesting
Technical
Assistance Provided
INS
Valsura, Jamnagar
CRPF, Gandhinagar
Army Contonment, Gandhinagar
Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority
(AUDA)
Gujarat Vidhyapith, Ahmedabad
North Gujarat University, Patan |
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Studies on conjunctive use of surface water and
groundwater were carried out in the Mah i-Kadana
Irrigation Project during 1990-1993. These studies
included quantification of available surface water
and groundwater resources within the command,
present and projected demand for water in 2015
AD from different sectors, matching the demand
with availability and to evolve the most suitable
and techno-economically feasible strategy for
opertionalising the conjunctive use plan. A groundwater
flow model was developed to generate various scenarios.
Surveys were undertaken in coastal belt of Saurashtra
to determine the cause and effect relationship
of salinity vis-a-vis pumping of groundwater in
the coastal Miliolite limestone aquifers. The
study revealed that the limited outflows to the
sea and the use and reuse of the limited groundwater
available in the coastal aquifer and extensive
use of chemical fertilisers has lead to mineralisation
leading to increase in salinity of groundwater.
It was also found that the coastal depressions
(Gheds) have salinity mostly on account of their
topographic situation below the mean sea level
and the prevailing hydraulic gradients.
A number of groundwater modelling studies to simulate
real-time field conditions and to generate future
scenarios have been carried out. Studies for the
first time were carried out under UNDP project
when a regional model for North Gujarat area was
developed. During project on Artificial Recharge
studies, a radial flow model for Kamliwara, an
analog model for Visnagar-Vijapur area and a regional
flow model for Veraval coastal area were developed.
A groundwater flow model for Mahi Right Bank Canal
Command area was developed during studies on Conjunctive
Use of Surface and Ground Water in Mahi-Kadana
Irrigation Project. A regional model was also
developed for Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP-stage
I), Rajasthan. Preliminary Groundwater model has
been developed for the Anjar-Khedoi area in Kachchh
district.
The groundwater has played a major role in green
revolution of India. Therefore, it becomes essential
to have reasonably accurate estimation of availability
of groundwater resources. The availability of
groundwater and its present level of development
in Gujarat are being assessed jointly by the CGWB
and the GWRDC. The resources for the Gujarat State
have been computed for the year 1984 and 1991.
In view of the additional information generated,
further refinements in the estimates have been
carried out for the year 1997 by a committee constituted
by the Government of Gujarat, where CGWB is a
member. The report has been issued in October
1999. |
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Drinking Water Sector
Scientific source finding work
using multi-disciplinary approach was taken up
in 440 hard core problem villages in Kachchh,
Jamnagar, Valsad and Dangs districts under Rajiv
Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission. Scientific
solutions for assured and sustainable drinking
water supply were provided. A number of exploratory
wells were constructed and handed over to State
Government to augment the water supply to water
scarce areas.
The Central Ground Water Board has been providing
technical assistance to the state government departments
in mitigating water supply problems during drought
periods. During the extended drought period of
1985-88, assistance was rendered for drinking
water supply solutions for urban as well as rural
areas. The drilling rigs and crew were deployed
for speedy implementation of water supply works.
As a drought amelioration measure, hydrogeological
surveys were carried out at 62 sites in Jamnagar
district during 1999-2000. During the earthquake
relief programme in Kachchh district a total of
55 production wells have been constructed for
assisting in the restoration of affected drinking
water supplies. In addition 80 wells have been
constructed under Accelerated exploratory drilling
programme during Jan.2001 till March 2002 for
assisting the state in the drinking water supply
programme. Apart from the above, more than 170
short-term water supply investigations have been
carried out for different government and semi-government
agencies including defence establishments.
Mining Sector
Intensive hydrogeological studies
were taken up in Panandhro lignite field in western
Kachchh and appropriate solutions were recommended
to control the artesian pressure of aquifers occurring
below the lignite bearing horizons for safe mining
of lignite. Detailed hydrogeological studies and
exploration were also carried out in lignite areas
in Surat and Bhavnagar districts.
Power Sector
Special groundwater studies and
exploration were undertaken to assess the groundwater
resources to meet the water requirements of KLTPS
of GEB in western Kachchh. Feasibility of constructing
high yielding wells in the area for water supply
to the power plant on sustainable basis was established.
The Central Ground Water Board
has been constituted as an Authority under sub-section
(3) of the section 3A of Environment (protection)
Act 1986 for the purpose of regulation and control
groundwater management and development in the
country. The regional offices of CGWB are taking
up special investigations for demarcation of areas
having depleted and polluted groundwater and are
providing the technical data in order to achieve
the mandate of CGWA. The Union Territory of Diu
has already been notified as critical area and
further groundwater development in Diu has been
restricted. All the groundwater withdrawal structures
in Diu have been registered. In Gujarat in the
Gandhinagar taluka deep aquifers beyond the depth
of 200 m bgl has been notified and ground water
withdrawal from this aquifer has been restricted
for drinking water purpose only. Registration
of agencies involved in water well construction
and production of mineral water is continuing.
Mass awareness programmes for conservation and
management of ground water resources are being
conducted periodically ..........more |
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