It was hypothesized that enhanced stream –aquifer interaction could turn  Basin into water machine and would be  a promising option for augmenting water supply reliably and economically.

The overall water supply being deficient, it often leads to interstate tensions. Enhanced groundwater recharge from monsoon flows in rivers, which is one of the various options augmenting the supply, has been explored. The steady state hydraulic optimization model with the objective of maximizing sustainable pumping yield under well identified constraints was set up. The model outputs included: maximum pumping rates, resulting potentiometric surfaces and the stream aquifer interaction. This research effort served a very useful purpose of establishing the firm possibilities of augmenting water supply. The salient points that emerged are:

·         It would be scientifically desirable and economically viable to increase groundwater pumping to avoid water logging and induce recharge from river to the aquifer in Lower Ghaggar Basin.

·         The optimal pumping   could induce   60 % additional flow from stream to the aquifer which, when used with saline water, would increase agricultural productivity and farm income.