Delhi has achieved a significant milestone in groundwater management, with the latest Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) report revealing that the city recharged more water than it extracted from the ground in 2025.
The report, dated November 2025, shows that Delhi extracted 0.32 billion cubic meters (bcm) of groundwater in 2024-25 but was able to recharge 0.38 bcm back, resulting in a net water gain.
This improvement is a significant departure from previous years, where Delhi's extraction rate was consistently above 100%, indicating more water was being extracted than recharged.
According to the report, the number of 'over-exploited' and 'critical' groundwater units in Delhi decreased from 27 to 21, while the number of 'safe' units rose from five to seven.
The improvement in groundwater recharge is attributed to a combination of factors, including the installation of suitable recharge structures and a sustained push to reduce illegal groundwater extraction.
Experts believe that this trend will continue in the years to come, with the groundwater table gradually starting to increase.
