Pune Launches Comprehensive Borewell Survey to Prevent Accidents and Ensure Safety
In a significant step towards public safety, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated a city-wide survey to identify and close defunct private borewells. The move follows directives from the urban development department, citing Supreme Court orders aimed at preventing accidents, particularly those involving children falling into abandoned borewells. With increasing urban expansion and unregulated groundwater extraction, the issue of defunct borewells has emerged as a pressing civic concern. The survey, conducted by the water supply department, will document borewells’ ownership, location, and current status, with on-site inspections to determine their safety conditions. PMC Commissioner has directed all ward officers to encourage public participation, urging citizens to report unused or unsafe borewells. According to officials, the survey findings will be compiled into a detailed report, which will be submitted by February 28, paving the way for corrective actions, including permanent closures where necessary.
Despite legal requirements mandating borewell registration and safety measures, activists argue that enforcement has been weak. Social activist Jaymala Dhankikar highlighted the continued risk posed by neglected borewells, attributing past tragedies to lax oversight. “These guidelines should be implemented in letter and spirit to prevent accidents. There have been several cases where children have fallen into open borewells, and unless strict action is taken, such incidents will continue,” she said. Under existing regulations, all borewell owners must register their wells with PMC and ensure they have protective enclosures and safety signboards. Failure to comply with these norms will invite legal and penal action. However, past records indicate that many borewells remain unregulated, raising concerns about the efficacy of enforcement. The Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA) recorded 4,820 borewells and 399 dug wells in Pune in 2009, but there is no updated data on how many remain operational or have been properly secured.
The issue of defunct borewells ties into broader urban infrastructure challenges, particularly in a rapidly expanding city like Pune. As the population grows and water demands rise, unregulated groundwater extraction has led to environmental degradation and the proliferation of borewells. Many of these are later abandoned due to depletion or contamination, leaving open hazards across residential and peri-urban areas. Civic experts argue that while this survey is a necessary step, it must be accompanied by a long-term plan to regulate groundwater usage, implement alternative water conservation strategies, and improve urban planning. The lack of accountability in monitoring borewells has also led to indiscriminate drilling, with several unregistered wells continuing to operate. Strengthening governance and enforcement will be critical in addressing these concerns while ensuring that groundwater remains a viable resource for future generations.
From a sustainability perspective, the problem of defunct borewells highlights the urgent need for a more responsible approach to groundwater management. Pune, like many other Indian cities, faces increasing water stress due to over-extraction, pollution, and erratic monsoon patterns. While borewells provide an essential source of water, their unregulated use depletes aquifers, disrupts natural recharge cycles, and exacerbates drought risks. Closing abandoned borewells is only part of the solution; authorities must also focus on rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and sustainable urban water management. Unless proactive steps are taken to integrate conservation measures into urban planning, the cycle of borewell proliferation, abandonment, and hazard creation will persist, posing long-term threats to both public safety and environmental sustainability.
