As Visakhapatnam rises skyward, groundwater sinks in Yendada-Madhurawada corridor
The rapid vertical expansion in Visakhapatnam's Yendada-Madhurawada corridor has led to a critical depletion of groundwater resources as urban growth outpaces municipal water infrastructure. This has forced expanding suburbs to become increasingly dependent on private tankers and borewells, highlighting the lack of natural recharge. The situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and integrated water resource management in India's growing coastal cities.
Read source at The Hindu — National →Mains Practice Question
Rapid and unregulated vertical urbanization in Indian cities is severely outstripping local groundwater recharge capacities. Analyze the ecological and socio-economic consequences of this trend, and suggest institutional and technological measures to achieve water security in expanding urban corridors.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQ
With reference to groundwater resources and management in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. India is the largest user of groundwater in the world, extracting more than the US and China combined. 3. Over-extraction of groundwater in coastal aquifers can lead to irreversible saltwater intrusion. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is correct: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Statement 2 is correct: India is the largest global consumer of groundwater, drawing more than the US and China combined. Statement 3 is correct: In coastal areas, excessive pumping lowers the freshwater table, causing lateral and upward movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers (saltwater intrusion).
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