BELAGAVI: According to the district administration, out of 45,000 borewells in Belagavi, about 10,000 have gone dry in 2015-16. However, the officials do not have any idea about the present condition of these borewells.
According to the officials, fewer borewells were being dug in the last three years due to the reducing underground water level. The figures speak for themselves. About 5,000 borewells were dug in 2014-15, 3,500 in 2015-16, 1,000 in 2016-17 and 500 till this March.
Belagavi DC N Jayaram said about 45 per cent of borewells in drought-hit Athani, Chikkodi, Raibag, Hukkeri, Gokak, Ramdurg, Saundatti and Kittur taluks have gone dry due to depleting groundwater table.
“In 2014, following the High Court’s direction, 95 per cent of failed borewells were capped,” he said.
“PDOs and Revenue Department officials are conducting a survey of borewells. They will be held responsible if we find uncapped borewell,” he added.
In-charge of Rural Water supply Department, Raikar, said 11, 911 failed and dried-up borewells were closed in the last three years.