Haryana saved 5.8 billion cubic meters of water from March 2023 to February 2025, reaching 85% of its target according to HWRA. The state aims to save 6.9 BCM by March 2025 through wastewater reuse, efficient cultivation, crop diversification, micro-irrigation, and groundwater recharge.
The initiative began after HWRA identified a deficit of 14.03 trillion liters between water availability (20.9 trillion) and demand (34.96 trillion) for 2020-2022. This is critical as 60% of the state falls in the ‘red’ category for groundwater exploitation. For 2025-26, Haryana plans 244 new water bodies over 1,185 acres, targeting 50% treated wastewater reuse by March 2025 and 100% by December 2028. Already, 14,570 crore liters of treated wastewater has been utilized.
HWRA chairperson Arora reported successful interventions including direct rice seeding (4.5 lakh acres), crop diversification (1.1 lakh acres), varietal interventions (7 lakh acres), and anti-waterlogging measures (1 lakh acres). Additionally, 53 water bodies were built, saving 1,066 million liters, and 1,597 ponds revived.
Despite an 11% increase in groundwater recharge, challenges persist as extraction rates increased to 136% in 2023-24, with extraction of 12 lakh HAM against a sustainable 9.3 lakh HAM. Dr. Tarannum of GuruJal emphasized that bridging the water deficit requires an integrated approach with rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse in industries, and precision irrigation techniques.
