{
  "id": 12308798,
  "title": "After HC rap over depleting water table, Gurugram plans borewell phase-out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/after-hc-rap-over-depleting-water-table-gurugram-plans-borewell-phase",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T05:27:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/after-hc-rap-over-depleting-water-table-gurugram-plans-borewell-phase-out-10908535/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In response to concerns over rapid groundwater depletion and unchecked extraction in Gurugram, authorities have outlined a plan to phase out the use of borewells and encourage industries to switch to tertiary-treated wastewater. During a meeting chaired by Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) CEO P C Meena, government departments reliant on groundwater were instructed to identify alternative supply channels and phase out tube wells. All concerned agencies were given a deadline of October 6 to submit details on measures to reduce extraction and increase rainwater recharge. The district administration is also responsible for creating an enforcement strategy to locate and seal unauthorized borewells. Meena emphasized the need to replace groundwater use with tertiary-treated wastewater, with GMDA currently supplying 10 million liters per day to the textile industry, which they plan to extend to other industrial clusters. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board will monitor captive STPs in group housing societies to ensure compliance with discharge standards. Authorities aim to retain rainwater within the urban catchment by reviving degraded water bodies, clearing encroachments, reducing green-belt levels, and converting parks into bioswales. The HC's ongoing proceedings on the city's shrinking groundwater reserves prompted the meeting, with the court expecting authorities to examine issues and suggest measures to address the worsening situation. GMDA is also conducting a feasibility study to construct a large underground rainwater retention reservoir beneath Tau Devi Lal Stadium. Five advanced scientific harvesting structures have been commissioned, with work on a fourth underway. IIT Delhi collaborated on these structures. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram is partnering with IIT Gandhinagar to install water injection well systems, which push treated water deep underground to maintain reservoir pressure or safely dispose of wastewater. Haryana Water Resources Authority plans to rejuvenate 142 ponds, with 68 completed, 74 in progress, and 21 revived under rural employment schemes. Within municipal limits, 32 water bodies have been restored, with work on 21 others ongoing.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}