Spatio – Temporal Analysis of Ground Water Levels in NCT Delhi (1990-91 to 2011-12)

Abstract

On account of the near universal availability, dependability and low capital cost; ground water is the most preferred source of water in various sectors in India. Increasing demand of ground water followed by indiscriminate extraction in various parts of the country, indifferent to the recharging capacities of aquifers and other environmental factors are creating pressure on this water resource. In recent years, National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is experiencing ground water crisis due to rapid urbanization, population growth, increasing demand in industrial sectors and farm houses. Ground water undergoes further stress when it is extracted during drought periods or unplanned withdrawal from subsoil aquifer. Depending upon the availability of continuous set of data, a spatio-temporal analysis of dynamic ground water levels of four selected districts of NCT Delhi - New Delhi, South-West Delhi, South Delhi and North Delhi have been attempted on the basis of the methodology namely Ground Water Hydrographs (1990-91 to 2011-12) both for the pre monsoon and post monsoon time period. Based on the overall assessment of dynamic ground water resources, a broad ground water management plan has been proposed.

KEYWORDS: Ground water, urbanization, population growth, subsoil aquifer, wround water hydrographs