A high-level workshop in Patna has issued a clarion call for the establishment of a unified platform to manage groundwater data, aiming to tackle the growing water security challenges in the region. The event stressed the need for judicious use of field data collected under the national groundwater mapping initiative.
Officials Advocate for Collaborative Data Platform
Speaking as the chief guest at the day-long workshop on Monday, B Karthikey Dhanji, secretary of the state minor water resources department, urged hydrogeologists and government officials to ensure the prudent utilization of field data. The workshop, titled “Dissemination of groundwater data, aquifer mapping and groundwater management plans,” was organized by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), mid-eastern region, in collaboration with the state department at Jal Bhavan in Patna.
Dhanji proposed that all state government departments using groundwater resource data should jointly establish a common platform, with necessary technical support from the CGWB. He emphasized that for a meaningful exchange of such critical data, stakeholders must receive specialized training. Furthermore, he assured that the state government is ready to facilitate the creation of a dedicated institution if it is deemed necessary for the effective utilization of groundwater data.
Experts Highlight Importance of Accurate Data Collection
Echoing the need for robust data systems, prominent social worker and Padma Shri awardee Sudha Verghese addressed the gathering. She underscored that real and accurate data collection is the cornerstone for properly assessing the available groundwater resources in any region. Verghese expressed confidence that if all concerned departments work collectively towards this goal, it would ensure easy and equitable accessibility of this vital resource for everyone.
The workshop saw participation from a wide array of experts. CGWB’s regional director Rajeev Ranjan Shukla welcomed the participants and outlined the various activities undertaken by the organization. Detailed presentations on different aspects of groundwater resources were given by CGWB’s former chairman A K Agrawal, director (administration) S N Dwivedi, and scientists Pankaj Kumar and Alok Kumar Sinha.
Multi-Departmental Participation for Holistic Management
The event successfully fostered dialogue across multiple agencies. Engineers and officials from the minor water resources, public health and engineering departments, alongside academics from the Patna University geology department, participated actively. This cross-sectoral participation highlights the growing recognition that groundwater management is a complex issue requiring coordinated efforts from administrative, scientific, and engineering wings of the government.
The consensus from the Patna workshop is clear: the path to sustainable groundwater management in Bihar lies in breaking down data silos. By creating a shared, trained, and institutionalized approach to data, the state can make more informed decisions to secure its water future.
