Hyderabad, June 2025 — In a concerning development for the future of water sustainability, Hyderabad has been officially categorized as an “over-exploited” (OE) district for groundwater use by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, according to its latest groundwater status report for 2023–24.
Of the 16 mandals in Hyderabad district, 11 have been marked as over-exploited, four as ‘critical’, and one mandal as ‘semi-critical’. The findings indicate a growing imbalance between groundwater extraction and recharge—especially in the eastern parts of the city.
Charminar Tops in Over-Exploitation
Among the mandals, Charminar recorded the highest groundwater over-exploitation at 117.1%, while Tirumalagiri in Secunderabad reported the lowest at 75.5%. Here’s a snapshot of the exploitation rates in some key mandals:
- Golconda – 135%
- Ameerpet – 126.7%
- Asifnagar – 127.8%
- Saidabad – 129.7%
- Himayatnagar – 116.6%
- Khairatabad – 106.9%
- Musheerabad – 100.6%
- Amberpet – 106.8%
- Shaikpet – 101%
- Secunderabad – 101.9%
- Nampally & Marredpally – 99.7%
- Bandlaguda – 97.1%
- Bahadurpura – 96%
What’s Driving the Decline?
The survey, conducted under the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) guidelines, revealed that unregulated drilling by private rigs and non-compliance with the Water, Land and Trees Act (WALTA) are major contributors to groundwater depletion. Additionally, uncontrolled urban construction continues to reduce recharge areas and increase demand.
A senior official from the Ground Water Department (GWD) said, “The situation is alarming. We are now tasked with drafting a special action plan to preserve and augment groundwater sources.”
Low Rainfall Worsens the Crisis
The situation has been exacerbated by a 24.6% rainfall deficit. As of May 2025, Hyderabad received 828.4 mm of rainfall, compared to the normal 1,099.6 mm. The shortfall is further straining the already-stressed groundwater table.
Next Steps: Regulation and Sustainability
The Ministry of Jal Shakti has also directed the implementation of Ground Water Extraction Rules across the district. This includes levying a cess and extraction charges on groundwater users to discourage excessive withdrawal and encourage sustainable usage.
Efforts are now underway to enforce better regulation, improve public awareness, and shift toward sustainable water management practices before the crisis deepens further.
