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 Committees

Considering wide range of topics covered by Water Resources Engineers, three committees called Indian National Committees (INCs) have been constituted to co-ordinate the R&D programme. The three INCs are listed below:

• Indian National Committee on Surface Water (INCSW)
• INC for Ground Water (INCGW)
• INC for Climate Change (INCCC)

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: Chairman, Central Ground Water Board

Member Secretary: OIC SUO, Central Ground Water Board

Secretariat: Central Ground Water Board, Gallery No. 18/11, Jamnagar
House, Mansingh Road, New Delhi-110011
Phone: 011-23383824,
Fax: 011-23386743
Email: msincgw-cgwb@nic.in

Subject Domain :

• Ground Water Recharge
• Ground Water Quality
• Impact of Climate Change on Ground Water
• 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

Who can be funded

Funding is provided to the following :

• R&D institutes/labs of the Central or State Govt.
• Organisations under MoWR
• IITs, Recognized Universities and recognized Engineering and Agricultural Colleges, WALMIs
• Indian NGOs registered under relevant society act, non-profit making recognized Indian Private R&D institutions/organizations registered with Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) having adequate infrastructure and facilities to carry out R&D work.

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 alongwith the soft copy is required 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 –DST order (click here)  
Proposals that do not undertake investigation of any new techniques, Proposals which are more in nature of data collection and application of known techniques to the data, Proposals where end user of the new technique is not clearly identified will not be considered for funding.

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
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, Uttarakhand
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, Rajasthan
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, Aligarh, U.P.
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
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, Tamil Nadu
6.	Development of defluoridation Media for contaminated ground water and its lab to field Application	Dr. Uday Chand Ghosh, Deptt. of Chemistry, Presidency College, Kolkata, W.B.
7.	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
8.	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
9.	Impact of Urban Industrial and Agricultural Pollution in Surface and Ground Water in and around Hyderabad and Secunderabad, A.P	Prof. M.N. Reddy, Deptt. of Geology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P.
10.	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

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, Uttarakhand

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)

• 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.

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, Aligarh, U.P.

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)

• 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

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)

• 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, Tamil Nadu

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)

• Development of defluoridation Media for contaminated ground water and its lab to field Application-PI- Dr. Uday Chand Ghosh, Deptt. of Chemistry, Presidency College, Kolkata, W.B.

The study was done with aim to develop new sorbent media for reduction of fluoride content below 1.5 ppm in contaminated ground water in the laboratory and field. The PI had developed four synthetic bimetal mixed oxides namely Iron(III)-zirconium(IV) hybrid oxide, iron(III)-aluminum(III) mixed oxide, iron(III)-tin(IV) bimetal mixed oxide, iron(III)-chromium(III) mixed oxide in lab bench scale.  The report indicated that out of the four synthetic bimetal mixed oxides, iron(III)-aluminum(III) mixed oxide, iron(III)-chromium(III) mixed oxide are efficient media in removing fluoride from contaminated water.

For detailed report (click here)

• Identification of sites for artificial ground water recharge in Upper Ganga Plains, using remote sensing – GIS-PI- Dr. R.P. Gupta, Dept. of Earth Sciences, IIT, Roorkee, Uttarakhand

The study focused on delineating porous and permeable stretches in palechannels which may act as sites for artificial recharge in Upper Gangetic Plains. Three major paleochannels has been deciphered in the study area. 17 observations wells drilled in the area to decipher the aquifer geometry and its characteristics.  Study indicates that upper parts of the paleochannels can be possibly used as sites of artificial recharge because of higher recharge rate, hydraulic conductivity and porosity observed in the paleochannels. 

For detailed report (click here)

• Causes effects and remedial measures of Arsenic contamination in ground water aquifers in parts of West Bengal –PI- State Water Investigation Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal

The study had three components -1) to ascertain the effect on agricultural & livestock population due to use of arsenical water, 2) assessment of spread of arsenic contamination in remote areas with the help of Mobile Laboratory Van and 3) to study the feasibility of quality of Arsenic contaminated ground water through artificial recharge technique at Maynagadi Mouza under Barasat-I block of North 24 Parganas District.  Regarding component I) study was conducted at 4 mouzas of Deganga block of the North 24 Parganas, W.B. The study revealed passage of Arsenic from the contaminated ground water to soil/crop/animal feed systems.  2) Mobile Chemical Laboratory Van was used to identify the areas with arsenic groundwater.  Demonstrative camps were organized at the village level.  6000 samples were analysed in 81 blocks of 8 districts of W.B. Regarding 3), four recharge shafts were constructed at Moynagadi Mouza of Barasat-I block of North 24 Parganas district. From the chemical analysis done during the pre and post monsoon periods, it has been inferred that arsenic concentration in ground water has reduced due to augmentation of ground water by artificial recharge. 

For detailed report (click here)

• Impact of Urban Industrial and Agricultural Pollution in Surface and Ground Water in and around Hyderabad and Secunderabad, A.P.-PI- Prof. M.N. Reddy, Deptt. of Geology, Osmania University, Hyderabd, A.P.

The author in this study has attempted to assess degree of ground water contamination in and around twin cities of Hyderabad & Secundarabad, Andhra Pradesh and determine the factors responsible for it.  The study has revealed that there is high concentration of pollutants in surface and ground water samples due discharge of industrial wastes or domestic sewage in the study area.  The author has suggested suitable remedial measures for prevent contamination.

For detailed report (click here)

• Study on Ground Water Contamination through Municipal Land fills in the NCT, Delhi-PI- Dr. A.L. Ramanathan, Associate Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, JNU, New Delhi

The study aimed at assessment of ambient status of contamination around three selected landfills in Delhi i.e. Gazipur, Bhalswa & Okhla, New Delhi and identification of potential sources and pathways of migration of pollutants.  Sample analysis has revealed high conductivity, high heavy metal concentration, chloride, nitrate and other cations and anions indicating anthropogenic pollution. The study has revealed that most of the samples the landfills act as a point source of contamination as the pollutant concentration decreases in the direction of the ground water flow along the radius as we move away from landfill.  Statistical analysis and spatial and temporal variations indicate leaching of pollutants from the landfill to the ground water regime.  A comparative study has indicated that Gazipur landfill site has the most impact on ground water quality followed by Bhalsawa and Okhala. 

For detailed report (click here)

Ongoing Projects

Sl. No.	Title of Scheme	Name of P1 & Institute	Status
1.	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	Report awaited
2.	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	Final report awaited
3.	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	Ongoing
4.	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
5.	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
6.	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
7.	Study and Investigations on the Marble Waste Material (Marble Slurry) to remove the Arsenic from Ground Water (For Details click here)	Dr. R.N. Yadav, Lecturer, Govt. R.R. (PG) Autonomous College, Alwar (Rajasthan)	Ongoing
8.	Estimation of Aquifer Potential in Jharia Coal Mining Region with suitable techniques to improve the recharge (For Details click here)	Dr. P.K. Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Engg., Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad	Ongoing