banking potentialNew Delhi, Aug 27 (PTI) The Niti Aayog has suggested conducting a study to assess the countrys groundwater banking potential by 2018 to effectively manage the limited resource. The Aayog said that in 4,530 blocks (which were surveyed in 2011) in eastern and northeastern states, where groundwater development has been reported as safe, groundwater-based irrigation may be developed sustainably. Indias groundwater resources amount to 433 billion cubic metres (BCM) and are 39 per cent of the total water resources. "A feasibility study should be conducted for assessing the groundwater banking potential in India by 2018. "Some clear advantages of groundwater banking are: low fixed costs as compared to dam and reservoir construction, no requirement for rehabilitation and resettlement and less environmental changes," it said.

Source: India Today August 27, 2017 05:48 UTC