Drought Impact : Maharashtra Bans Digging Of Borewells Beyond 200 Feet

14 May, Mumbai

With a view to check the steep decline of groundwater-level across Maharashtra, the state government has decided to ban digging of borewells beyond 200 feet across the state.
Besides this, attempts are also being made to save water in ponds and rivers, so that the drought-like situation in the state can be brought under control.
The government has said those who will dig borewells beyond 200 feet, will face a fine from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 or even imprisonment upto six months in case of repeated offences

The decision of the Maharashtra government comes in wake of farmers and private players resorting to digging of new borewells due to scarcity during the summers.
The move is part of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ ambitious water conservation project-Jalayukta Shivar Yojana- which promises to make 5,000 villages in state drought-free in one year.
According to officials the condition in the Marathawada region and Buldhana and Amravati disitrcts in Vidarbha region is specially bad, where borewells have been dug upto to almost 1000 feet underground and yet no water has been found. This uncontrolled digging is leading to depletion of ground-water level.