Prayagraj: The declining groundwater level in Prayagraj has become a cause for concern. The over-extraction of groundwater in urban pockets is the primary reason behind depleting water level.However, the state government is trying to manage and resolve the issue through several measures including rainwater harvesting, which prompts the recharging of the groundwater table.Groundwater levels are depleting due to continuous water extraction through large tube wells and small borewells. To replenish these levels, the groundwater department is installing rainwater harvesting systems, enabling the conservation of rainwater and its diversion into the ground.Aviral Singh, a hydrologist with the UP Groundwater department, said that the government has set a target for the department to construct rainwater harvesting systems covering an area of 20,000 square meters in the Prayagraj division this year. Surveys to install these systems in government buildings have already commenced.Rapid urbanization and unscientific water extraction in urban areas have caused a sharp decline in groundwater levels. Singh noted that for the 2024-25 period, the division was assigned a target to construct rainwater harvesting systems covering an area of 15,000 square meters—a goal that has been fully achieved. In the Prayagraj district, rooftop rainwater harvesting systems have been installed for the 2025-26 financial year at the Government ITI and Ishwar Sharan Degree College, covering a roof area of approximately 4,500 square meters and this setup has the potential to facilitate groundwater recharge of approximately 3,440 cubic meters (3,440,000 liters) annually.Kumar Gaurav, Executive Engineer of Minor Irrigation, said that government buildings—including the District Collectorate, Vikas Bhawan, Tehsil offices, Block offices, schools, hospitals, and police stations—have been selected for the first phase, with RWH systems to be constructed across an area of 12,000 square meters. The Prayagraj Development Authority has made the installation of rooftop RWH systems mandatory for the approval of building plans for structures exceeding 300 square meters in area. Additionally, ‘Amrit Sarovars’ (rejuvenated ponds) and check dams are being constructed in rural areas to harvest rainwater.
