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Proposal for groundwater recharge in Thar desert

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR MAY 10. After the dream plan of linking the rivers countrywide, now there is a mega-plan for groundwater recharge in the Thar desert. The Union Ministry of Water Resources has put forth a proposal to fill the aquifers in 13 districts falling under the Thar desert in Rajasthan with the surplus water from the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP) and the floodwaters from the Ghaggar river.

The proposal to recharge depleted aquifers of the Thar, which might involve a few hundred crores, is at the feasibility stage, but the Rajasthan Government, quick not to let go any opportunity to enhance water availability in the State, has expressed its keenness to join as a party. The Oil and Natural Gas Commission, which has many futuristic projects in the Thar region, has reportedly promised funds for the first phase of the project.

According to estimates, groundwater resources of the Thar desert amount to 92,000 MCM (million cubic metres) and the annual replenishable groundwater resources are about 3,613 MCM. The assessment is that a total of 71,000 MCM of water can be recharged to the groundwater in the Thar desert, while in the Lathi basin alone it could be 14,700 MCM. Experts say that they have tried it out on a smaller scale at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh with considerable success.

``We are creating a water sanctuary from where water could be taken out as and when required. The underground storage also would replenish the wells and other water bodies in the region and also help the re-generation of vegetation,'' says Radha Singh, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources, who was here to attend a workshop on the concept.

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