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Agriculture accounts for 87% of India’s groundwater extraction: Union Minister
Agriculture accounts for 87% of India’s groundwater extraction: Union Minister
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil told the Rajya Sabha that agriculture accounts for 87% of India's total groundwater extraction. The country extracts 60.63% of its annual groundwater resources, according to the…
The Story in Brief
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil told the Rajya Sabha that agriculture accounts for 87% of India's total groundwater extraction. The country extracts 60.63% of its annual groundwater resources, according to the Dynamic Ground Water Resources Assessment for 2025. Total annual extraction is 247 billion cubic metres (BCM), of which 215 BCM goes to irrigation, 28 BCM to domestic use, and 4 BCM to industry.
Nine states and Union Territories, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh and Karnataka, have extraction rates above the national average. District-wise, 281 districts exceed the average. The Annual Ground Water Quality Report for 2025 found groundwater generally potable, with 99% of monitoring stations suitable for irrigation. The government has constructed 525 arsenic-safe wells using cement-sealing technology.
The Indian Opinion
The 87% figure is stark, but India is an agricultural nation feeding 1.4 billion people. The real test is whether high-extraction states like Punjab and Rajasthan will adopt efficient irrigation and recharge methods. The government's arsenic-safe wells show effort, but 281 districts above average extraction demand faster action. Will the next assessment show improvement, or will scarcity force rationing?
Source: newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
