Jodhpur changes I-Day venue due to rising groundwater levels

Time of India

2 days ago

Jodhpur: For the first time in recent memory, the traditional venue for Independence Day celebrations in Jodhpur has become unfit for use due to rising groundwater levels, forcing the district administration to relocate this year's festivities.
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The Maharaja Umaid Singh Stadium, which has hosted the event for years, has been plagued by significant waterlogging, prompting officials to move the celebrations to the larger Barkatullah Khan Stadium.
This year, the city is hosting the state-level Independence Day function with chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma scheduled to preside over the celebrations here on Friday.
District collector Gaurav Agrawal elaborated on the situation, stating, "Maharaja Umaid Singh Stadium has a waterlogging problem and the groundwater level in the city has risen significantly this year.
In such a situation, it would not be feasible to hold the programme there. Additionally, Maharaja Umaid Singh Stadium is smaller and since this time it would be a state-level ceremony here, we require a venue that can accommodate a larger audience.
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Jodhpur has been grappling with challenges related to rising groundwater levels for over two decades, with mitigation efforts proving inadequate. Currently, nearly 40% of the city is affected, facing issues such as seepage in buildings and damage to foundations.
The groundwater levels in Jodhpur have been rising contrary to trends seen in much of Rajasthan, a phenomenon linked to the city's rocky surface and its proximity to a canal and two reservoirs, as well as increased rainfall recharge in recent years. The result has been water oozing from underground structures, leading to dampness, erosion and structural damage.
Despite two surveys conducted by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, and the National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, no effective solution has been implemented.
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In response, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) initiated groundwater extraction in 2007, dividing the city into four zones and increasing the number of pumping points to combat the rising water table.
Currently, 94 pumps are operational, costing approximately Rs 1.5 crore annually, with areas like Laxmi Nagar and BJS Colony designated as red zones due to groundwater levels rising alarmingly close to the surface.
Experts attribute the groundwater challenges to Jodhpur's connection to the Rajiv Gandhi canal, the primary water source for the city, which is fed by the Kaylana and Takhat Sagar reservoirs. "These two reservoirs hold enough water throughout the year, and because the region is rocky, it seeps into the city areas through fine aquifers. Moreover, the city's residents, accustomed to ample water availability, tend to overuse it, allowing excess water to percolate into the ground," explained an expert.
As the city prepares for the Independence Day celebrations at Barkatullah Khan Stadium, it faces a critical juncture in addressing its ongoing water management challenges.