Research Projects
Funded by: Anusandhan Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Science and Technology (DS&T), Govt. of India.
Scheme: Advanced Research Grant (ARG).
PI: Sayantan Ganguly; Co-PI: None.
Duration: 19-03-2026 - 18-03-2029 (3 years)
Status: Ongoing.
Summary: Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) over major river basins refers to the total amount of water stored on and beneath the land surface, including surface water, soil moisture, snow, and groundwater. It plays a vital role in regulating the hydrological cycle, sustaining ecosystems, supporting agriculture, human needs, and determining basin yield. Variation in TWS over time is influenced by climatic factors, such as precipitation and evapotranspiration, and by human activities, such as irrigation, dam operations, and groundwater extraction. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the major drivers of the spatiotemporal variation in TWS across the basin. The TWS across large basins is evaluated by simulating various hydrological storage components using a coupled hydrological & groundwater flow model, such as SWAT-MODLFOW. The SWAT-MODFLOW model is calibrated and validated by using observed streamflow and groundwater head datasets. The innovative aspect of the present study is the utilisation of various machine learning (ML) models to enhance the precision of the coupled SWAT-MODFLOW model in estimating TWS. Finally, the simulated TWS is validated using TWS from the GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite missions, which aid in identifying surplus and deficit regions. This study also demonstrates the factors contributing to fluctuations in terrestrial water storage components, including soil moisture, groundwater, and surface water. Furthermore, this investigation concludes by evaluating which tributary has the most significant potential to contribute surface water and groundwater to a higher-order river and identifying the tributaries impacted by groundwater drought.
Title: Regionalization of groundwater levels at ungauged stations in the northwestern part of India using AI/ML models.
Funded by: Indo-Taiwan Joint Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, IIT Ropar.
PI: Sayantan Ganguly; Co-PI: None.
Duration: 21-03-2024 - 20-03-2025. (1 year)
Status: Completed.
Summary: In this project, we attempted to develop an approach to regionalization using machine learning models, namely, multiple linear regression, random forest, gradient boosting, and extreme gradient boosting. We used physiographic and climatic descriptors from gauged sites as input to the models and aimed to create a regional model of groundwater head over time, which can then be used to estimate groundwater head at ungauged sites. For performance comparison, time series are evaluated using a distance-based time series average.
Funded by: Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) [Now the Anusandhan Research Foundation (ANRF)], Department of Science and Technology (DS&T), Govt. of India.
Scheme: Start-up Research Grant (SRG).
PI: Sayantan Ganguly; Co-PI: None.
Duration: 21-12-2019 - 20-06-2022. (2.5 years)
Status: The main objective of artificial aquifer recharge (AAR) and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is to use the subsurface porous media as a reservoir to convey surplus water. The motivations are either to replenish depleting groundwater or to store excess water for a long period and recover it during periods of demand. Although AAR can be achieved in several ways, underground injection of water into a suitable porous formation is the most efficient among those mentioned above, due to minimal water loss during recharge, the ability to supply water in significant amounts within a short time, and minimal land requirements. The objective of the project was to study the feasibility of aquifer storage of water through artificial recharge in the state of Punjab, India, and surrounding areas. In this proposed project, field experimental studies were conducted to assess the capacity of subsurface porous media to store injected water without compromising their stability. The structure of the different layers of underground soil was extensively tested and analysed through soil sampling. Properties of different soil layers will be investigated and determined. By carefully analysing data, suitable layer(s) of soil were identified for the artificial recharge. Numerical simulations, along with field experiments, were performed to model the AAR phenomenon, enabling these models to be applied in the future to propose an AAR scheme anywhere. The experimental data procured were used to calibrate the numerical model. Thus, AAR can be established as an efficient technique for water conservation for sustainable water management in India.
Title: Experiments and simulations on the feasibility of aquifer storage and recovery by artificial recharge.
Funded by: IIT Ropar
Scheme: ISIRD Grant (IIT Ropar Faculty Start-up Grant)
PI: Sayantan Ganguly
Duration: 28-10-2019 - 27-10-2020. (1 year)
Status: Completed.
Consultancy Projects
Design of a sustainable stormwater drainage (SWD) system for Patiala City, Punjab. Client: Municipal Corporation, Patiala, Punjab, India. (Co-CI) (Status: Completed)
Proposing the remedial measures for the retaining wall failure in the Deudhar village (on the Takoli-Kullu highway), National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). (Joint-CI) (Status: Completed).
River Audit study as per the Guidelines of the MOEF&CC to inter alia capture accurate replenishment rates in the rivers in the State of Punjab. Dept. of Mines and Geology, Govt. of Punjab. (Joint-CI) (Status: Completed)
Preparation of a State Specific Action Plan (SSAP) on the water sector of Haryana state, India. Client: Haryana Irrigation Research and Management Institute, Govt. of Haryana under the National Water Mission. (CI and Team Lead) (Status: Ongoing)
Design of a lift irrigation scheme in the Changer area, Punjab. Client Water Resources Dept., Govt. of Punjab. (Co-CI) (Ongoing)
Preparation of a State-Specific Action Plan (SSAP) on the water sector of Punjab state, India. Water Resources Dept., Govt. of Punjab under the National Water Mission. (Co-CI)(Status: Ongoing).
Preparation of a State-Specific Action Plan (SSAP) on the water sector of Himachal Pradesh, India. Jal Shakti Vibhag (Water Resources Dept.), Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, under the National Water Mission. Joint-CI (Status: Ongoing)