National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) will conduct airborne survey separately for mapping Krishna-Godavari basin and collecting images and data in six pilot areas across the country to study groundwater recharge pattern.
NGRI Director Mrinal K. Sen told The Hindu on the sidelines of a workshop on `Coastal Aquifer Monitoring & Management’ on Monday that the two important projects were being launched by the government to understand ground realities and take up remedial measures. The mapping of K-G basin is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It will be launched in a month and the project cost will be Rs.30 crore. The survey in pilot areas is funded by Central Ground Water Board and World Bank. It will be launched in November. The cost of the project is Rs.35 crore. “We will take sub-surface data up to 200 to 300 metres using electro-magnetic sound waves,” Prof. Sen said. He said during the mapping of K-G basin, they would follow detailed geophysical methods. The data obtained would be useful in improving groundwater recharge and preventing seawater intrusion.
