Karnataka Shows Groundwater Gains Under Jal Shakti Abhiyan

03 Dec 2025 CW Team

As per the 2025 categorisation: • Over-exploited (5 districts): Kolar, Bengaluru (Urban), Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru (Rural), Chitradurga • Critical (2 districts): Bengaluru South (Erstwhile Ramanagara), Tumakuru • Semi-critical (6 districts): Vijayanagara, Bagalkot, Gadag, Belagavi, Chamarajanagara, Davanagere

The Government of India is implementing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a mission-mode national campaign designed to strengthen rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. First launched in 2019 across water-stressed blocks of 256 districts, JSA has been an annual nationwide initiative since 2021, spanning rural and urban areas. It focuses on artificial recharge structures, watershed management, reuse systems, afforestation and public awareness.

JSA 2025 is currently under way, with a special focus on 148 water-scarce districts nationwide, including 102 categorised as over-exploited and 22 as critical (based on the 2024 assessment). All five over-exploited and four critical districts of Karnataka have been included as priority districts under JSA 2025.

To further accelerate progress, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative has been launched by the Prime Minister as a community-driven movement to make rainwater harvesting a mass public effort. By encouraging community ownership, it seeks cost-effective, locally tailored solutions to region-specific water challenges.

Karnataka has reported substantial progress. Through coordinated efforts under JSA and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, more than 1.7 million water conservation, harvesting and artificial recharge structures have been created. This has contributed to an overall improvement in Karnataka’s groundwater scenario.

According to CGWB data, the State’s Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE) — the ratio of total annual groundwater extraction to total annual extractable groundwater resources — improved from 68.44 per cent in 2024 to 66.49 per cent in 2025. Nearly all Over-exploited, Critical and Semi-critical districts showed improvement in SoE between 2024 and 2025, except Chikkaballapura and Tumakuru.

The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The Central Ground Water Board’s 2024 Dynamic Groundwater Resources Assessment had earlier confirmed the State’s groundwater status. According to the latest 2025 assessment, Karnataka now has five districts classified as over-exploited, two as critical and six as semi-critical. As per the 2025 categorisation: • Over-exploited (5 districts): Kolar, Bengaluru (Urban), Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru (Rural), Chitradurga • Critical (2 districts): Bengaluru South (Erstwhile Ramanagara), Tumakuru • Semi-critical (6 districts): Vijayanagara, Bagalkot, Gadag, Belagavi, Chamarajanagara, Davanagere The Government of India is implementing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), a mission-mode national campaign designed to strengthen rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. First launched in 2019 across water-stressed blocks of 256 districts, JSA has been an annual nationwide initiative since 2021, spanning rural and urban areas. It focuses on artificial recharge structures, watershed management, reuse systems, afforestation and public awareness. JSA 2025 is currently under way, with a special focus on 148 water-scarce districts nationwide, including 102 categorised as over-exploited and 22 as critical (based on the 2024 assessment). All five over-exploited and four critical districts of Karnataka have been included as priority districts under JSA 2025. To further accelerate progress, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative has been launched by the Prime Minister as a community-driven movement to make rainwater harvesting a mass public effort. By encouraging community ownership, it seeks cost-effective, locally tailored solutions to region-specific water challenges. Karnataka has reported substantial progress. Through coordinated efforts under JSA and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, more than 1.7 million water conservation, harvesting and artificial recharge structures have been created. This has contributed to an overall improvement in Karnataka’s groundwater scenario. According to CGWB data, the State’s Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE) — the ratio of total annual groundwater extraction to total annual extractable groundwater resources — improved from 68.44 per cent in 2024 to 66.49 per cent in 2025. Nearly all Over-exploited, Critical and Semi-critical districts showed improvement in SoE between 2024 and 2025, except Chikkaballapura and Tumakuru. The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..