Dark zone areas in Delhi
3 of 10 districts in Delhi pumped out more groundwater than was recharged in 2025 (over-exploited, the "dark zone"). 2 more were critical and 3 semi-critical. Across the state, 92% of the extractable groundwater was used.
Over-exploited districts (3)
Stage of extraction above 100% in 2025.
Critical districts (2)
Stage of extraction 90–100% in 2025.
Semi-critical districts (3)
Stage of extraction 70–90% in 2025.
What a dark zone means for you
Borewells go deeper every few years and some run dry in summer. New groundwater use for business needs a CGWA NOC with recharge conditions. The fix is to put rain back: at 700 mm of rain a year, a 100 m² house roof recharges about 60,000 litres.
Frequently asked questions
Which areas of Delhi are in the dark zone?
In CGWB's 2025 assessment, 3 of 10 districts in Delhi were over-exploited (dark zone): New Delhi, Shahdara, South.
Is Delhi's groundwater over-exploited overall?
The state pumped out 92% of its extractable groundwater in 2025, which CGWB classes as critical.
Can I get a new borewell in a dark zone of Delhi?
Homes usually can, with local registration; some cities restrict new borewells. Industry, infrastructure, mining and commercial users need a Central Ground Water Authority NOC, which in over-exploited areas carries tighter limits and recharge conditions.
Source: CGWB Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment 2025, district figures. CGWB classifies blocks (assessment units); a district's figure is the average of its blocks, so a district shown here as safe can still contain over-exploited blocks.