Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Karnataka Launches Campaign to Secure Unsafe Open Borewells
Karnataka plans to start a campaign to make unsafe open borewells safer.
Borewells that fail to find water or are no longer used are supposed to be closed safely.
The first checks will focus on borewells drilled by the state’s Minor Irrigation Department.
Officials will also try to find unsafe borewells that may not be in government records.
In later phases, other departments and local bodies may help with the work.
The department is considering a WhatsApp number and website where people could report dangerous borewells.
Reports may include photos and location details.
The minister said the goal is to move toward an open-borewell-free Karnataka.
Karnataka’s Minor Irrigation and Ground Water Development Department will launch the statewide Borewell Suraksha Abhiyan.
The campaign is intended to identify, verify, monitor and safely close failed or abandoned borewells.
The first phase will check failed and defunct borewells drilled under the Minor Irrigation Department.
Later phases will involve other government departments, local bodies and agencies to find and secure unsafe borewells.
Officials will examine a WhatsApp and web reporting system that could accept photos and locations and track cases through closure.
- Who
- Karnataka’s Minor Irrigation and Ground Water Development Department, under Minister Ajay Dharam Singh, will lead the campaign.
- What
- The Borewell Suraksha Abhiyan will identify, verify and safely secure or close unsafe failed and defunct borewells.
- When
- The minister announced the campaign; the articles do not specify a launch date.
- Where
- Across Karnataka, beginning with borewells drilled under the Minor Irrigation Department.
- Why
- To prevent unsafe open borewells from threatening lives, including children’s lives.
- Campaign
- Borewell Suraksha Abhiyan
- Lead department
- Karnataka’s Minor Irrigation and Ground Water Development Department
- First phase
- Verify failed and defunct borewells drilled under the Minor Irrigation Department and secure unsafe ones
- Later phases
- Coordinate with other government departments, local bodies and concerned agencies
- Public reporting proposal
- A WhatsApp number and web-based system may allow reports with photographs and location details
- Possible case tracking
- The proposed system may support geo-tagging and tracking from reporting and verification through closure
- Implementation framework
- Department Secretary Rajesh Amminabhavi and Ground Water Development Directorate officials were directed to prepare it
