Kolkata stares at Delhi-like water

crisis as groundwater levels

deplete at alarming rate
Urban Development secretary Subrata Gupta discussed at length the
crisis and said that the massive urbanization and large-scale use of
groundwater depleted the groundwater levels in the city and
construction of concrete pavements had further made the situation
critical.

After Delhi, Chandigarh and Bengaluru now Kolkata is staring at a severe

water shortage likely in the next few years due to a massive drop in the
groundwater levels. The experts believe that the groundwater level of the
city is depleting at an alarming rate due to the spike in water wastage.

In a recent event organized by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, Subrata

Gupta, Urban Development secretary said, "If we are not conscious about
saving water, we are likely to face a shortage in future."

Gupta said massive urbanization and large-scale use of groundwater have

depleted the groundwater level in Kolkata and construction of concrete
pavements had further made the situation critical as they have lesser ability
to soak in the rainwater.

A few days ago, a report titled 'Composite Water Management Index' by

Niti Aayog set off the alarm bells by stating that at least 21 major cities may
run out of groundwater by 2020.

A leading newspaper reported about the surge in the water consumption

of the city which is way higher than other cities of the country. The water
consumption measurements in some parts of the city are alarmingly high.
Consumption is more than 600 litres per person. The Central Public Health
Engineering Organization revealed in a report that the national per capita
consumption of water is 135 litres a day. Chennai has the lowest per capita
consumption which is close to 84 litres, Bangalore stands at 100 litres and
Mumbai consumes 170 litres.

The experts in this field and civil engineers pointed out the major causes
of this problem. The less percolation of rainwater underground due to
concrete pavements and the massive wastage of treated water has
spiralled this problem.

The segregation of the waste at the household level is another emerging

problem in the city. "In the coming future the city will produce more than
9000 metric tonnes of waste daily", said the Gupta at the event. As per a
new report, only seven of 144 wards of the city segregate waste. Residents
of these seven wards were given separate bins to segregate
biodegradable and non-biodegradable. The biodegradable waste goes to
the Dhapa dumping ground and the non-biodegradable waste goes for
industrial use. Presently the recyclable waste collected from the city is only
five tonnes as per government records.