Mon Mar 10 14:44:00 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Launches Groundwater Mapping Project in Three Districts

**Chennai, March 10, 2025** – The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) is launching a ₹7 crore pilot project to map groundwater aquifers in three north Tamil Nadu districts: Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, and Krishnagiri. These districts, characterized by hard rock and significant groundwater fluctuations, are classified as critically over-exploited.

The project aims to understand groundwater potential, recharge capacity, and facilitate better management of this crucial resource. Each district has approximately 300,000 groundwater extraction wells, used for agriculture, industry, and domestic purposes. The 2023 Dynamic Groundwater Resources Assessment for Tamil Nadu revealed widespread over-exploitation, with many revenue blocks exceeding 90% groundwater extraction.

The aquifer mapping will utilize advanced technologies including remote sensing, GIS, and 3D modelling to determine groundwater permeability, availability, and recharge potential. The village-level data will provide crucial information on geological features, groundwater depth, and areas susceptible to water scarcity. This information will be vital for farmers, industries, and other stakeholders in planning water usage and recharge initiatives.

According to R. Mullai of the All India Kisan Sabha, declining groundwater levels in Vellore have forced residents to drill borewells up to 600 feet deep. While recent good monsoons have mitigated the crisis, many rely on packaged drinking water due to salinization. Concerns remain about the lack of proper maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures in rural areas. Further, fluoride contamination has affected several areas in Krishnagiri.

The WRD expects the project to be completed within three years and plans to expand it across the state subsequently.

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