In a remarkable environmental turnaround, land in Delhi Dwarka once among the city most groundwater-stressed zones is rising again. A joint study by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), IIT Kanpur, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and the University of Miami has revealed that after years of gradual sinking, Dwarka’s land is now lifting, indicating groundwater replenishment.
The study, published in Water Resources Research and titled InSAR Reveals Recovery of Stressed Aquifer Systems in Parts of Delhi, India, analysed satellite data from October 2014 to October 2023. Researchers found that land subsidence in Dwarka has not only halted but reversed with certain areas lifting by 5 to 10 centimetres since 2016. The upward movement, averaging 2 cm per year across nearly 4 sq km, points to the slow but steady refilling of depleted aquifers.
Billions of Litres of Water Restored Underground
Scientists estimate that groundwater storage in Dwarka increased by roughly 2–7 billion litres annually between 2016 and 2023 enough to meet the annual needs of a Delhi neighbourhood or fill hundreds of Olympic-sized pools. The research team attributed this recovery to effective policy measures and improved groundwater management in the capital.
Delhi 2016 Groundwater Policy Shows Results
The turnaround is being linked to Delhi 2016 groundwater policy, which banned new borewells, mandated rainwater harvesting, and required housing projects to include recharge structures. Despite reduced rainfall between 2018 and 2021 groundwater levels across the city rose by more than 1.5 metres. “The sustained rise in groundwater level during 2018–2021, despite decreasing rainfall, provides strong evidence for substantial recovery of groundwater resources through improved management,” the paper stated.
Uneven Trends Across NCR
While Dwarka’s aquifers show encouraging signs of revival, nearby regions tell a more complex story. In Faridabad, land subsidence has worsened with the ground sinking faster than before, doubling from about 2 cm per year before 2017 to nearly 4–5 cm annually. Scientists blame continued over-extraction of groundwater for domestic and industrial use.
Gurgaon, however, shows moderate improvement. Between 2014 and 2018, central areas were sinking at about 15 cm per year. Since 2018, this has slowed to around 10 cm, with southern parts seeing an even sharper decline to just 2 cm per year. The study attributes this to reduced water extraction and better recharge practices.
A Glimmer of Hope for Delhi Water Future
Experts say the findings offer rare optimism for India’s water-stressed cities. They demonstrate how policy enforcement, public awareness, and rainwater harvesting can reverse decades of environmental damage. Yet, they also serve as a warning that without consistent management, gains in groundwater recovery can easily be lost.
As Dwarka land slowly rises, it symbolizes not just the lifting of soil but a sign that recovery even in the most depleted aquifers is possible through sustained and science-backed efforts.