Thrissur: Curbs on digging borewellls soon

Thrissur: The district administration will issue the  guidelines on Tuesday restricting the digging of borewells in the  district till the end of summer, according to  collector A. Kowsigan.

The government GO on February 17 had directed the district administration to stop the digging of  borewells in the state till May 31. The  collectors were asked to invoke the relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act to enforce the decision.

In  a circular on February 20, some of the stringent rules  were toned down allowing sinking of borewells for domestic use  on certain conditions. Mr Kowsigan said that sinking of borewells within 30 metres of water sources for public use would be restricted and the diameter of the borewells to be dug this summer for domestic use would be restricted to a diametre of 110 mm (4.3 inches). The depth would be restricted to 150 ft. (45.72 m.)

“The  district administration will  consult  the officials of Ground Water Department (GWD) in Thrissur and an order will be issued on Tuesday,” the collecotor said.

Digging of borewells for commercial and agriculture uses was  banned till monsoon,  GWD officials said.  It is learnt that most of the borewells sunk this summer in Thrissur have gone beyond a depth of 200 ft with some even exceeding 300 ft.

Mr T.K.Premlal,    District Officer of Ground Water Department,  said that there was restriction now only within the Kodungallur block (erstwhile Kodungallur block panchayat limit that presently includes a portion of Kodungallur municipality) to dig borewells . A panel, including officials of district administration and GWD,  will be set up  to review the groundwater levels till May 31.