Guidelines for abandonment of BoreWells Drilled 24-07-2012

About Dataset

Guidelines for Abandonment of Bore Wells and Drilled Wells 2012 is an official guidance document issued by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Government of India following directions of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Supreme Court of India to prevent fatal accidents caused by unattended abandoned or uncovered bore wells. The document was circulated to all States and Union Territories with instructions for immediate implementation and public awareness to ensure that abandoned bore wells do not pose a threat to children or the public. The enclosed Supreme Court order and detailed technical guidelines form the basis of the prescribed safety measures. The guidelines establish mandatory procedures for construction operation monitoring and abandonment of bore wells and tube wells. Owners are required to inform the concerned authorities before drilling begins and all drilling agencies must be registered with the district administration. During construction appropriate signboards must display details of the drilling agency and the owner of the well. Protective fencing or barriers must be erected around the well and a cement concrete platform must be constructed to improve safety and prevent accidental falls. The well assembly should be securely capped and uncovered bore wells must never be left open after drilling or during repair activities. These requirements are detailed in the Supreme Court directions contained in the document. The document also provides detailed technical guidance for proper abandonment of bore wells and drilled wells. Abandoned bore wells should have all piping removed as far as possible and the well should be completely filled with cement grout concrete grout bentonite grout or dry clay. For drilled wells any casing that has become corroded or unsuitable should be removed the well should be disinfected and remaining voids should be sealed using appropriate grouting materials. The technical specifications for abandonment and safety norms are summarized in the annexed guidelines on the final page of the document. The guidelines assign clear responsibilities to District Collectors State Governments local authorities and implementing departments for monitoring compliance maintaining district level records inspecting abandoned wells and ensuring that unsafe wells are properly sealed. Village Panchayats and urban local bodies are expected to assist in monitoring abandoned wells and maintaining updated records of wells drilled abandoned filled and remaining open. Random inspections and certification of properly abandoned wells are also recommended to strengthen accountability and public safety. Overall the document serves as a national safety framework for preventing accidents associated with abandoned bore wells while promoting responsible groundwater infrastructure management. It combines legal directions administrative responsibilities and technical standards to ensure that bore wells are safely constructed maintained monitored and permanently closed when no longer in use thereby protecting human life and strengthening public safety practices across the country.