LUCKNOW: In two years’ time, between 2012 and 2014, Lucknow’s groundwater levels recorded an alarming fall and it’s the residents of posh localities who have exploited groundwater more. Localities in areas like Hazratganj, Aliganj, HAL and Mahanagar have recorded depletion in water table by an average of 2 metre between 2012 and 2014.Survey by state groundwater department, pre and post-monsoon in 2012, 2013 and 2014 paints a bleak picture for Lucknow which has water table going down by 80cm to one m every year. What augments the worry is that government as well as city residents have yet to do the needful.Between 2012 and 2014, city has expanded and the impact is visible on groundwater levels in localities like Telibagh where water table dropped further from 28.30mt to 30.15mt. At Kursi road, groundwater level depleted from 11mt to 14.80mt. In Triveninagar, groundwater level has fallen from 18.20mt to 21.25mt.“There are apartments coming up but builders don't seek NOC from groundwater department before they drill boring,” said sources in state groundwater department. At 59 water level stations, the department measures groundwater level every year by boring pipes and dropping measuring tapes between May-June for pre-monsoon period and between September-October for the post-monsoon period.Although the post-monsoon period shows minor improvement, it is not sustainable. The survey report every year is forwarded to Union ministry of water resources. Four blocks of Lucknow, including Maal, Malihabad, Chinhat and Mohanlalganj have been declared ‘critical’ by the ministry with respect to groundwater levels.Lucknow gets at least 60% water supply from groundwater, which feeds even Gomti river. But government orders issued from time to time to conserve groundwater have not been paid heed to.It is mandatory for all government/semi-government buildings and premises to have ‘roof-top and surface pavement rain water harvesting' but not all have followed the order. Private premises of more than 2,000 sq feet should install the features to conserve rainwater but lack of awareness has kept it from taking off.“Concretisation is a big reason rainwater dries up,” said sources. State groundwater department is the nodal agency for groundwater conservation but the department has yet to clamp down on illegal and irregular exploitation of groundwater.Water Level Stations ----------- Depletion in Groundwater Level; Change Between 2012 and 2014 (approx., in metres)HAL ------------------------------- 29 to 30Mahanagar -------------------- 26 to 28Lalbagh (Hazratganj) -------- 31 to 34Regional Science City (Aliganj) -- 16 to 19Purania (Aliganj) --------------- 21 to 27Maunibaba (Alambagh) ------- 38 to 41High School (Alambagh) ----- 32 to 34Cantonment (Sadar) ---------- 41 to 48