Gujarat Achieves Major Groundwater Rise Under Atal Bhujal Yojana

Gandhinagar, Gujarat – In a significant achievement that underscores the power of committed leadership and community participation, Gujarat has succeeded in raising groundwater levels by up to four meters and more in several areas across 36 talukas of six selected districts. This major accomplishment comes under the steadfast guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the dedicated implementation of the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a flagship groundwater management initiative.

While sharing the details, Water Resources Minister Kunwarji Bavaliya highlighted that this success is a direct result of coordinated efforts to monitor and manage groundwater resources. Regular monitoring has been carried out at 3,060 stations in Banaskantha, Gandhinagar, Kutch, Mehsana, Patan, and Sabarkantha districts, with a focus on assessing changes in groundwater levels and quality. An in-depth analysis of data from 441 monitoring stations, adhering to the guidelines of the Atal Bhujal Yojana’s Disbursement Leak Indicator-5, revealed significant improvements.

Minister Bavaliya explained that 195 of these stations demonstrated a higher pre-monsoon and post-monsoon water level in the year 2024 compared to the average levels recorded between 2015 and 2023. Impressively, 60 stations reported an increase of more than four meters during the pre-monsoon season, while 73 stations recorded a similar rise after the monsoon. Another large number of stations showed improvements ranging from two to four meters, with many others recording a rise of up to two meters.

“This groundwater revival is not just a statistical achievement; it is a lifeline for thousands of farmers and communities across Gujarat,” stated Kunwarji Bavaliya. “It reflects the spirit of public participation and scientific water management under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership,” he added.

The Atal Bhujal Yojana was initially set for five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, but following its remarkable impact, the government has extended it for another year, till 2025-26. The pilot phase has been implemented in 1,873 gram panchayats of the six aforementioned districts.

Minister of State for Water Resources Shri Mukesh Patel, while emphasizing the community’s role, said that the scheme is focused on promoting water conservation through public involvement. Efforts include demand-side measures like the use of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to reduce water consumption, alongside supply-side interventions such as the construction of check dams, pond deepening, pond desilting, watershed development, and the installation of recharge wells.

Mukesh Patel remarked, “We are building a culture where every citizen understands the value of water. Initiatives like these not only improve groundwater reserves but also ensure sustainable growth for generations to come.”

It is important to note that Gujarat is one of the seven states where the Atal Bhujal Yojana, funded by the Central Government, has been implemented in the first phase. The project covers diverse aquifer types — from alluvial to hard and soft rock formations — meaning that groundwater recharge outcomes vary based on local geological conditions. In regions with alluvial, multi-aquifer systems, groundwater level improvements tend to be slower compared to areas with hard rock formations where recharge is quicker.

Furthermore, a key innovation under this initiative has been the construction of scientifically designed recharge structures. These involve a three-pond system connected to a recharge tubewell, ensuring that rainwater is filtered thoroughly before being injected into the aquifers. The first pond collects excess water, where physical impurities settle. This water then passes into a second pond where it is filtered through layers of gravel, sand, and charcoal, making it fit for groundwater recharge. Finally, the clean water flows into a third pond connected to a tubewell, where it slowly permeates the deeper aquifers. A flowmeter installed at the third stage allows precise monitoring of the recharge rate.

Thanks to such innovative approaches, surplus rainwater, which otherwise would have drained into the sea, is now being efficiently harvested to revive depleted aquifers.