The Hydrogeological Models of the Varuna Basin (HMVB) project focuses on assessing and enhancing River-Aquifer Exchanges (RAE) in the Varuna River Basin, a tributary of the Ganga, to address declining baseflow and groundwater depletion. The primary challenge lies in understanding the complex riverbed lithology, which governs groundwater interactions but remains difficult to map using conventional methods. To overcome this, the study integrates advanced geophysical techniques (heliborne, surface-borne and river-borne TEM surveys), real-time IoT-based monitoring and numerical groundwater modelling to comprehensively assess river-aquifer dynamics.

The key objectives of the project include:

Mapping and characterising riverbed sediments to identify active exchange zones.

Quantifying groundwater contributions to the river and vice versa, assessing pollution plumes.

Developing an RAE model for optimized Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) site selection.

Comparing heliborne and river-borne TEM surveys to refine subsurface characterization methodologies.

Capacity building and startup promotion for technology transfer and wider adoption.