Nagpur district bans digging of new borewells until further orders amid water shortage fears

The District Disaster Management Authority has banned the digging of borewells in Nagpur district, in view of the risk of water shortage ahead. Rainfall has been lower this year and reservoirs hold less water.

District Magistrate and authority chairman Kumar Ashirvad issued the order under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

According to the administration, precautionary measures are being taken through government agencies to protect groundwater sources, reduce the additional pressure on drinking water sources and check the severity of water shortage in the coming days.

The order applies to the entire urban and rural area of the district. With immediate effect and until further orders, digging of every kind of new borewell or tubewell, and deepening of existing borewells, is prohibited. The ban applies to private individuals, farm owners, housing societies, builders, industries, commercial establishments and institutions. It also applies to contractors, rig owners and machine operators who dig borewells.

Borewell digging by government agencies that is under way or will be taken up to remove water shortage, ensure the availability of public drinking water and related work is exempt from the ban. Such work carried out by contractors on the official work order of a government agency will also get the exemption.

The agency concerned will have to keep the official work order, or the administrative approval of the competent authority, along with documents showing the water-shortage purpose, available for inspection. The work must follow groundwater laws, technical standards and safety provisions.

Sub-divisional officers will monitor implementation of the order in their areas. The District Magistrate has directed that spot inspections be carried out and action be taken to stop prohibited digging, in coordination with tehsildars, the police department, the local self-government bodies concerned and the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency.

Those who violate the order or obstruct its implementation will face legal action under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and other applicable laws. The administration has said tehsildars and the local self-government bodies concerned should publicise the order and submit initial implementation reports immediately. A copy of the order is also to be published on notice boards and the official website.

The administration has also clarified that the ban covers only new digging and the deepening of existing borewells. The order gives no direction to stop using existing borewells.