Punjab Groundwater Analysis Reveals Mixed Trends: 57.3% Wells Show Improvement
In a significant assessment of Punjab's groundwater situation, analysis of 185 wells during the post-monsoon period has revealed a complex picture of water level fluctuations across the state. According to data presented in Rajya Sabha, 106 wells (57.3%) recorded a rise in groundwater levels ranging from 0 to 4 meters, while 78 wells (42.2%) showed a decline of up to 4 meters. One well maintained stable water levels with no change recorded.
District-Wide Variations in Groundwater Levels
The detailed analysis presented by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in response to questions from Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney, highlights substantial variations between districts. Fazilka district emerged as the most positive case, with all 10 analyzed wells registering an increase in groundwater levels. Similarly, Ropar district demonstrated 100% improvement, with all seven monitored wells showing rising water tables.
Hoshiarpur also recorded positive trends, with 10 out of 19 analyzed wells showing groundwater level increases. However, several districts presented concerning patterns of depletion that require immediate attention from water management authorities.
Areas of Concern: Bathinda Leads in Groundwater Decline
The maximum decrease in groundwater levels was recorded in Bathinda district, where 13 out of 17 analyzed wells showed declining water tables. This was followed by Faridkot, which registered depletion in nine out of 13 monitored wells. Ludhiana presented another worrying scenario, with eight out of nine analyzed wells recording groundwater level declines.
Patiala district also showed negative trends, with eight out of 12 monitored wells experiencing dips in groundwater levels. These patterns highlight the uneven distribution of water resources across Punjab and the need for targeted intervention strategies in severely affected regions.
Detailed Analysis of Water Level Changes
Among the 106 wells that recorded rising groundwater levels, the majority (80 wells) witnessed increases of 0 to 2 meters. Seventeen wells showed more substantial improvements of 2 to 4 meters, while nine wells demonstrated remarkable recovery with increases exceeding 4 meters over the decade-long comparison period.
Conversely, among the 78 wells showing declining trends, 38 registered dips of 0 to 2 meters. Seventeen wells experienced more significant declines of 2 to 4 meters, while 23 wells showed alarming depletion exceeding 4 meters over the same decade-long timeframe.
Long-Term Assessment Methodology
The analysis conducted by the Central Ground Water Board compared water level data collected during the post-monsoon period of 2025 with the decadal mean of post-monsoon levels from 2015 to 2024. This comprehensive approach provides valuable insights into long-term groundwater trends rather than temporary seasonal fluctuations, offering policymakers a robust foundation for water management decisions.
Political Context and Policy Implications
The parliamentary question that prompted this detailed response focused on several critical issues regarding Punjab's groundwater situation. Vikramjit Singh Sahney specifically inquired about government awareness of alarming groundwater depletion rates in Punjab, sought the latest five-year data on water levels, and questioned whether the Punjab government had made multiple requests to include the state in the Atal Bhujal Yojana.
The response clarified that while Punjab had not been included under the Atal Bhujal Yojana and had received no grants under the scheme, this was because the program was designed as a pilot scheme with fixed duration and outlay. The scheme has now completed its tenure after establishing a successful model of decentralized water governance that other states can replicate and scale up according to their specific needs and conditions.
This comprehensive groundwater analysis comes at a crucial time when water resource management has become increasingly important for agricultural sustainability, drinking water security, and environmental balance in Punjab. The mixed results across different districts underscore the need for localized water conservation strategies and continued monitoring of this vital natural resource.
