Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Minister Orders Urgent Groundwater Survey Amid Rural Water Crisis
Many rural villages are having trouble finding enough drinking water.
The problem is linked to below-normal rainfall.
Minister Eshwar B. Khandre told officials to quickly check groundwater levels.
They must do this across 5,927 gram panchayat areas.
Officials will find out which villages depend on borewells.
They will also estimate which borewells may stop working during summer.
If water is unavailable, officials will look for other sources, private borewells, or tankers.
People, schools, industries, and other institutions were asked to save water.
Eshwar B. Khandre ordered urgent groundwater data collection across 5,927 gram panchayat areas.
Officials must estimate drinking water needs through the next monsoon and plan accordingly.
Authorities will assess borewell dependence, potential summer failures, surface water, and alternatives.
Officials were asked to plan private borewell hiring, water tankers, and transportation routes.
Residents and institutions were urged to use water carefully amid rainfall-related shortages.
- Who
- Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre and senior officials.
- What
- Officials were directed to collect groundwater data and prepare plans for supplying drinking water.
- When
- The directions were issued at a meeting on Wednesday, ahead of the summer period.
- Where
- Across all 5,927 gram panchayat areas, with the meeting held at Vikas Soudha in Bengaluru.
- Why
- A rainfall deficit has worsened drinking water shortages, which officials expect could increase during summer.
- Minister
- Eshwar B. Khandre
- Areas covered
- All 5,927 gram panchayat areas
- Main concern
- Worsening rural drinking water shortages
- Data required
- Groundwater levels and borewell dependence
- Planning period
- Until the next monsoon
- Potential measures
- Private borewells, water tankers, alternative sources, and water transportation
- Public message
- Residents, industries, schools, colleges, and institutions should use water judiciously