Question : Progress Under Aquifer Mapping

(a) whether the Government has initiated the work on aquifer mapping, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that despite passage of three years of the Twelfth Five Year Plan no actual work has been done on critical front of aquifer mapping, if so, the present status thereof and the reasons for delay;
(c) whether the Government proposes to share the expenditure likely to be incurred with respective States, if so, the details thereof including the expected total expenditure including the funds spent for the purpose so far;
(d) whether any geophysical surveys have been undertaken on a pilot basis in the country, if so, the details thereof along with the outcome of surveys including the potential for ground water exploration and the names of companies involved in such surveys; and
(e) the steps taken/to be taken by the Government to expedite the matter?

(a) to (c) An area of 8.89 lakh sq.km has been targeted to be covered during the XII Plan Period, which includes ''Over-Exploited '', ''Critical '' and ''Semi-critical'' areas prioritized for aquifer mapping in this phase. Aquifer maps and management plans have been prepared for an area of around 3.46 lakl1 sq.km, so far.
This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Union Government. CGWB is the implementing agency for the same. The expected expenditure likely to be incurred by the end of XII Plan under ''Ground Water Management & Regulation'' scheme is about Rs. 660 Crore. The funds allocated and utilized year-wise during the 12th Five Year Plan is given below:
Contd...p/2
//2//
Year
Expenditure
(Rs. in crores)
20 I 2-13
129.65
2013-14
84.4
20 I 4-15
I 09.36
2015-I 6
I 52.55
(d) Yes, Madam. The Geophysical surveys were undertaken on a pilot basis through a consultancy project given to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), Hyderabad in select areas in the States of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Bihar. The survey indicated the potential zones for water availability.
The Heliborne Geophysical Survey has been completed covering a total area of about 2000 sq.lan. The outcome of the survey has helped in delineation of aquifer disposition in vertical and horizontal dimensions. On the basis of the results, efficacy of different geophysical techniques has been ascertained and protocol for use of geophysical techniques for aquifer mapping in different hydrogeological terrains has been established.
(e) To ensure effective implementation of the ongoing programme, several steps have been taken, including (i) prioritization of areas for aquifer mapping; (ii) preparation of implementation plans; (iii) outsourcing of exploration works; and (iv) constitution of a National Inter-departmental Steering Committee (NISC) for providing guidance in
implementation of this programme etc.
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