CGWB digs 26,000 bores in diff hydro-geological conditions

New Delhi, Jun 27 (UNI) The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) that is entrusted with the task of exploring water aquifers in different hydro-geological conditions and determine hydraulic parameters, has drilled over 26,000 wells in the country since its commencement in mid 50s.

The Board's exploratory drilling activities were initially confined to alluvial tracts in major river basins of Himalayan foothills but entered the hard rock regions after it added 26 new DTH drilling rigs. In the mid 90's, it introduced open hole drilling technology in the country.

CGWB acquired seven percussion drilling rigs for exploratory drilling in bouldary, semi-consolidated formations in Himalayan foothills from Jammu and Kashmir in northwest and to Arunachal Pradesh in northeast. These programmes formed the background of scientific evaluation of the water bearing properties of various rock formations, Water Resources Ministry sources said.

The Board has handed over the drilled high water yielding borewells in water deficient areas including the tribal areas to the respective states for public water supply purposes free of cost.

The Board also undertook disaster mitigation activities in Latur earthquake affected by quakes in 1993 and in Bhuj in 2001. It also chipped in when super cyclone struck Orissa in 2000 and Tsunami in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2004 by digging tube wells for water supplies, an official release said.

UNI MCN GL ND1006