Extraction stage drops from 164% in 2022 to 152.22% in 2026, minister says citing assessment
Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal has said the state’s groundwater extraction stage declined from 164 per cent in 2022 to 152.22 per cent in 2026, citing the latest assessment. Annual groundwater extraction reportedly fell from 28.02 billion cubic metres to 26.32 BCM, while the number of over-exploited assessment units dropped from 117 to 110. The government attributes part of the improvement to increased canal-water use for agriculture. While the figures indicate movement in a positive direction, Punjab continues to extract groundwater at levels far above sustainable recharge, meaning the state’s long-term water crisis remains severe despite the improvement.
