The groundwater is declining in majority of the areas of Delhi on account of overexploitation of the resources. The rate of decline is as high as 1.7 to 2 meters/year in some areas (South & South west Dist.). Thus seven out of nine districts of Delhi are categorized as overexploited with respect to dynamic groundwater resources.

Ground water has emerged as an important source to meet the water requirements of various sectors including the major consumers of water like irrigation, domestic and industries. The sustainable development of ground water resource requires precise quantitative assessment based on reasonably valid scientific principles.

The second national workshop of the NRLP research project, held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, on April 8-9, 2009, mainly focused on strategic issues of Indian irrigation that require immediate attention. The issues highlighted at the workshop contribute to a cluster of short- to long-term strategies for a perspective plan for the Indian water sector.

The broad objective of the report is to formulate technically viable proposal enabling funding agencies to implement a comprehensive and scientifically viable water conservation, artificial recharge and rain water harvesting program in the entire NCR, on loan/grant basis. The implementation strategy will have active community participation and awareness generation
programs.