Alarming scarcity of water in India

In this article the assessment of utilizable water resources of India, based on various studies by the government, has been reviewed and analysed. The analysis yields that the utilizable water resources are overestimated in various studies, ranging from 66% to 88%. We have estimated the utilizable water resources as 668 billion cubic metre (BCM) against 1110 BCM of CWC, 1209 to 1255 BCM of NCIWRDP and 1122 BCM of the National Water Policy of India. The consequence will be alarming as the projected demand of even 897 BCM, corresponding to low demand scenario, cannot be met even after full development of utilizable water resources. The analysis also revealed that almost all the basins would become water-deficit, and raises a big question about the availability of water through inter-basin transfer. It is also shown that the groundwater has already been overexploited as far back as 1997-98. Therefore, contrary to the previous studies like those of NCIWRDP, CWC, etc., water scarcity is alarming and calls for urgent action before it becomes unmanageable.