Indore Faces Growing Water Crisis: Unequal Narmada Water Distribution and Poor Management Raise Concerns

Experts at State Press Club, Madhya Pradesh discussion call for a long-term water management policy, stressing that planning must focus on 2057 rather than just 2027

(SDNA) Indore. Below-average rainfall during this year’s monsoon has raised concerns over a potentially serious water crisis in Indore in the coming months. Experts believe that addressing this challenge cannot be left entirely to the municipal corporation or government authorities. Citizens must also take responsibility by adopting water conservation practices and using available resources judiciously. Along with rainwater harvesting, efficient management of existing water supplies is equally essential.

A major portion of Indore’s water supply comes from the Narmada River, located approximately 70 kilometres away. Despite this dependence, the distribution of Narmada water across the city remains unequal and inefficient. Water wastage, declining groundwater levels and shortcomings in the distribution network are further aggravating the situation.

These concerns were highlighted during a discussion titled ‘From Water Crisis to Water Security’, organised by the State Press Club, Madhya Pradesh, at the Abhinav Kala Samaj Auditorium in Indore. Experts and speakers discussed groundwater conservation, Narmada water distribution, rainwater harvesting, environmental balance and the city’s future water requirements.

Groundwater levels reaching 1,000 feet is a serious warning: Sudhindra Mohan Sharma

Sudhindra Mohan Sharma, Director of the Government of India’s Drinking Water Mission and a geologist, pointed out that Indore does not have a river of its own. The city depends on the Narmada for a substantial part of its water requirements, while groundwater remains an important local source.

He recalled that around 75 years ago, wells and traditional stepwells played a major role in water storage and supply. Later, hand pumps became common, with water available at depths of approximately 30 to 75 feet. Several ponds were also developed during that period.

However, the situation has changed dramatically. In several parts of the city, groundwater levels have reportedly dropped to nearly 1,000 feet, creating a serious concern for the future.

Explaining the geological background, Sharma said that lava released by volcanic activity around 65 million years ago gradually cooled and formed rock structures. Groundwater is extracted from formations within these rocks. Given the region’s geological characteristics, it is not easy to accurately determine groundwater availability at every location using a single standard measurement.

He observed that Indore receives approximately two-and-a-half times as much rainfall as Israel. Therefore, the situation is not entirely hopeless, provided that water resources are managed with foresight. He stressed that planning should not be restricted to the requirements of 2027 but must take into account the city’s water needs up to 2057.

Sharma recommended preparing a detailed groundwater-level map of the city, regularly monitoring the 15 piezometers installed by the administration and introducing flow meters to assess groundwater availability and extraction levels.

Referring to a report by the Central Ground Water Board, he explained that installing rainwater recharge systems everywhere does not necessarily guarantee that rainwater will reach underground aquifers. Only around eight per cent of Indore’s geographical area is considered suitable for effective groundwater recharge.

He also informed participants that the Indore Municipal Corporation is working towards developing a city water policy and that citizens can contribute their suggestions to the process.

Where is Narmada water going? Questions raised over distribution system

Prof. Dr. Sandeep Narulkar, Head of the Civil Engineering Department at SGSITS, raised serious concerns about the unequal distribution of water in Indore.

According to available records, nearly 54 per cent of the city’s population receives Narmada water, while the remaining areas depend largely on borewells and water tankers.

He pointed out that many residents receive Narmada water on alternate days and that discrepancies also exist in the reported water supply figures. According to the Municipal Corporation, approximately 360 million litres of water are brought into Indore daily through the Narmada project, while another 75 million litres are obtained from borewells. However, the actual quantity reportedly distributed is only around 243 million litres.

This raises an important question: where is the remaining water going?

Dr. Narulkar also highlighted the enormous electricity expenditure involved in transporting Narmada water to Indore. Despite the high cost of this arrangement, he said, the available water is not being used responsibly.

He cautioned that January and February might pass without major difficulties, but March could bring a more serious water shortage. Preventing pipeline leakage and unnecessary wastage must therefore become an immediate priority.

He also called for a clear regulatory policy governing private hydrant-based water tanker services and commercial car-wash centres.

Proper rainwater management could meet water needs for 16 months: Dr. Dilip Baghela

Environmentalist Dr. Dilip Baghela stated that Indore district receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 35 inches. If this rainwater is scientifically collected, stored and managed, it could potentially meet water requirements for nearly 16 months.

However, inadequate water management is preventing the city from making effective use of this natural resource.

He said the impact of reduced rainfall is not limited to urban areas. Rural regions are facing even more difficult circumstances, as insufficient irrigation water has affected a large number of crops. Supplying water through tankers is also not a practical solution for every rural location.

Expressing concern over environmental degradation and declining water levels in rivers, Dr. Baghela recalled that dams such as Punasa, Omkareshwar and Yashwant Sagar frequently experienced overflowing conditions in the past. Such situations, he said, are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

He further stated that approximately 30 to 40 per cent of forest cover has been lost. This environmental damage makes the prospect of favourable rainfall increasingly uncertain. Emphasising the close relationship between greenery and rainfall, he called for stronger environmental protection and preservation of trees.

Dr. Baghela appealed to every citizen to take a pledge to save at least 10 litres of water per day. Just as people protect their financial assets and property, water must also be treated as an invaluable resource for future generations.

Household-level conservation can make a significant difference: Dr. Upasana Gupta

Dr. Upasana Gupta, Associate Professor of Hindi at Devi Ahilya University, Indore, emphasised that substantial water savings are possible through responsible household practices.

She suggested that reusable leftover water from domestic activities should not be wasted. Instead, it can be used for watering plants and trees wherever appropriate.

She also encouraged households to reduce electricity consumption, highlighting the importance of adopting environmentally responsible practices in everyday life.

Strong and immediate water policy essential: Praveen Khariwal

Chairing the discussion, Praveen Khariwal, President of the State Press Club, Madhya Pradesh, stressed that systematic efforts must begin immediately to prevent a future water crisis.

He said that developing an effective and comprehensive water policy is now an urgent necessity. Water is the foundation of life and future security, and its importance extends beyond human beings to animals, birds, trees and plants.

He called for giving water conservation the highest priority and initiating concrete measures without further delay.

Social worker Kishore Kodwani also expressed concern over the mismanagement of water resources. He warned that failure to control wastage and improve the existing management system could expose the city to serious difficulties in the coming years. He emphasised that preparations must begin now rather than waiting for the crisis to intensify.

Experts and social workers share suggestions for water security

At the beginning of the programme, the discussion’s coordinators Rajoo Gholap, Pankaj Kshirsagar, Praveen Joshi, Vijay Khandelwal, Sunita Shrivastava, Dr. Manish Dave and Nilesh Kanthed welcomed the guests.

The proceedings were conducted by Umesh Parekh, while Sunil Jain proposed the vote of thanks. A large number of environmentalists, social workers and prominent citizens of the city attended the discussion.

The central message of the discussion was clear: Indore cannot secure its water future by depending solely on the Narmada. A sustainable and long-term water security policy must combine groundwater conservation, equitable distribution, prevention of leakage, scientific rainwater management and active public participation. Planning for the city’s water needs in 2057 must begin today.

(SDNA)