Water is a State subject as per Entry 17 of List-II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The planning, development and management of water resources are primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. However, the Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical support and financial assistance through various schemes and programmes. The Government of India is implementing the River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme, which, inter-alia, includes activities of the Brahmaputra Board and the Investigation of Water Resource Development Scheme through the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).

The Brahmaputra Board has carried out extensive surveys and investigations in the Brahmaputra and Barak basins and prepared 52 Master Plans covering flood control, bank erosion, drainage improvement and multipurpose development. These Master Plans have been approved by the Government of India and shared with the concerned State Governments for implementation. The Board also undertakes preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for multipurpose projects and conducts special studies relating to flood, erosion and sedimentation.

Further, under inter-basin planning, NWDA is implementing the Interlinking of Rivers programme under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) (1980) covering 30 link projects, for which Pre-Feasibility Reports for all links, Feasibility Reports for 26 links and Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for 14 links have been completed including one Intra State link project. Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first link under NPP for which implementation is initiated.

In addition, various Boards/Authorities have been constituted, either under an Act or based upon some agreement reached among the concerned basin States for water resources management in various river basins, viz; Brahmaputra Board, Betwa River Board, Tungabhadra Board, Narmada Control Authority, Cauvery Water Management Authority, Godavari River Management Board, Krishna River Management Board, Bansagar Control Board, Upper Yamuna River Board, etc. These Boards/ Authorities, inter alia, assist the basin States in mutual resolution of issues pertaining to water sharing, etc. as and when required.

Further, Central Water Commission (CWC) formulated key guidelines to strengthen river basin management initiatives in India from time to time, including the Guidelines for Preparation of River Basin Master Plan (1990), subsequently revised in 2007 to address emerging challenges; and the Guidelines on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management (IWRDM) (2016), which promote holistic planning, sustainable development, and coordinated water resource utilization across basins.

The draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project has been prepared by M/s WAPCOS Ltd and submitted to Pancheshwar Development Authority (PDA) in 2016. As per DPR the hydro-power generation from PMP is 5040 MW and Design flood for diversion is 16651 Cumecs.

In addition, several multipurpose projects such as Siang, Subansiri, Tipaimukh, Dibang, Lohit Dam Project, LakhwarMulti Purpose Project, Renukaji Dam Project, Kishau Multi-Purpose Project, etc. are at different stages of development including DPR preparation, appraisal and implementation.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), 99 major/medium irrigation projects were identified, out of which 71 projects have been completed, creating an additional irrigation potential of 29.23 lakh hectare and developing 22.21 lakh hectare command area.

River basin–based planning is of critical importance for Himalayan States including Himachal Pradesh, as it enables integrated and scientific management of water resources across river systems. Such an approach facilitates improved flood management and erosion control, development of hydropower potential, enhanced irrigation and drinking water availability, and watershed management along with ecological conservation.

In Himachal Pradesh, major river basins such as Satluj, Beas, Ravi and Yamuna benefit from such integrated planning, thereby contributing to sustainable development and improved water security in the region.

The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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ND

(Lok Sabha USQ 4423)