Gurgaon's Groundwater Extraction Soars to 194.6% Over Permissible Limit
Gurgaon continues to face a severe groundwater crisis, with extraction levels reaching a staggering 194.6% more than the permissible limit, according to the latest National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025, released by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). This alarming figure highlights the city's unsustainable water usage, despite slight improvements from previous years.
Persistent Over-Exploitation Despite Minor Improvements
The report reveals that Gurgaon drew 40,396 hectare-metres (ham) of groundwater against a sustainable extractable resource of only 22,923 ham. While this marks a negligible improvement from 2024, when extraction stood at 195%, and a more significant drop from 212% in 2023, the trend remains deeply concerning. Groundwater extraction beyond 100% is categorised as "over-exploited," indicating that aquifers are being depleted faster than they can naturally refill.
To put this in perspective: A hectare-metre (ham) is a unit used to measure large volumes of water, with one ham equaling 10 million litres. This means Gurgaon is extracting approximately 403 billion litres of groundwater annually, nearly double what its aquifers can sustainably provide.
Haryana-Wide Groundwater Stress and District-Level Data
Across Haryana, the situation is dire, with several districts reporting severe groundwater stress. The CGWB assessment evaluated 143 groundwater assessment units in the state, of which 88 (61.5%) were classified as "over-exploited," 11 as "critical," and eight as "semi-critical." Only 36 units (25.1%) fell into the "safe" category.
Key districts with high extraction levels include:
- Panipat: 217.8% extraction
- Karnal: 196.9% extraction
- Fatehabad: 175.3% extraction
- Mahendragarh: 156.8% extraction
- Faridabad: 139.6% extraction
- Ambala: 130.1% extraction
In contrast, some districts remain in relatively safer categories, such as Rohtak (48.8%), Panchkula (62%), Jhajjar (72.7%), and Nuh (72.3%), indicating lower groundwater stress.
Causes and Contributing Factors to the Crisis
The pressure on Gurgaon's aquifers is attributed to rapid urbanisation, industrial activity, and a rising population, which have sharply increased water demand. Large parts of the city rely on private borewells, particularly in industrial areas, commercial establishments, and residential colonies where piped water supply is inadequate.
Breakdown of groundwater usage in Gurgaon:
- Industrial use: 17,142 ham
- Domestic consumption: 5,191 ham
- Irrigation: Over 21,267 ham, largely in peri-urban villages
Groundwater recharge in the region is heavily dependent on rainfall. Monsoon rains contribute about 9,567 ham of recharge, while other sources such as canals and return flows add around 7,002 ham. During the non-monsoon period, rainfall contributes only around 3,206 ham, highlighting the district's reliance on seasonal rainfall to replenish aquifers.
Expert Warnings and Regulatory Failures
Experts have repeatedly warned about the depletion of this natural resource. Professor Gauhar Mahmood of Jamia Millia Islamia's civil engineering department stated, "The credit for improvement of water levels should be given to nature. The city used more than it recharged. Groundwater is not an infinite reserve that we can keep mining without consequence." He noted that Gurgaon barely harvests or uses rainwater for recharge.
Nearly two weeks ago, the National Green Tribunal criticised the Haryana government for failing to curb rampant illegal groundwater extraction. It ordered inspections of construction sites, farmhouses, industrial units, educational institutions, and pharmaceutical units to check for illegal borewells.
State-Level Overview and Future Implications
Haryana's overall groundwater extraction stands at around 136% of its annual recharge. The state has an annual extractable groundwater resource of about 9.3 lakh ham, but actual extraction is estimated at around 12 lakh ham. Gurgaon currently receives about 570 million litres per day (MLD) of treated surface water, which falls short of its peak summer demand of around 675 MLD, forcing increased dependence on groundwater.
This persistent over-exploitation poses significant risks to long-term water security, environmental sustainability, and public health, underscoring the urgent need for effective water management policies and conservation efforts.
