Restoration
of Water Bodies
A pilot scheme for repair, renovation and restoration of
water bodies, directly linked to agriculture, has been approved
by the Government with an outlay of Rs. 300 crore, to be implemented
during the remaining period of X Five Year Plan.
So far, 1,116 water bodies have been selected for regeneration
at an estimated cost of Rs. 229.7925 crore in 24 districts of
14 States, identified under the scheme.
An additional irrigation potential of 1,48,113.35 hectare
is likely to be generated after completion of the project.
Flood
Management
A Task Force
for Flood Management/Erosion Control was
constituted under the Chairman, Central Water Commission,
to look into the problems of reoccurring floods and erosion in
Assam and other neighbouring States, as well as Bihar, West Bengal
and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Task Force had since submitted its report
on December 31, 2004, as per schedule. Several actions have been
taken based on the recommendations of Task Force.
Flood
Forecasting
On an average about 6,000 flood forecasts are issued every
year by Central Water Commission. Over 96 per cent of forecasts,
issued by CWC, are found to be within permissible limit of accuracy
which is + / - 15cm. in
case of stage forecast and + I -20% of actual discharge in case of inflow forecast.
Cooperation also exists with Nepal and Bhutan since 1989 and 1979,
respectively, to obtain the hydrological data in respect of common
rivers, which help in qualitative improvements in flood forecasting
on the Indian side.
In 2002, the Government of India signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with China for provision of hydrological information
on the upstream of the Brahmaputra river in flood season by China
to India. The data from China is being used for flood forecasting
in the North Eastern Region. The matter has further been taken
up with the Chinese authorities for providing similar information
in respect of Sutlej river.
The Flood Forecasting Network is
being upgraded in the current Plan, by way of installation of
modern data collection I data communication system, to enable
collection and transmission of real time data to forecast formulation
centers, and dissemination of the forecasts to user agencies for
which a scheme estimated to cost Rs.72 crore has already been
approved by the Government of India. In addition, it is also proposed,
under the scheme to start flood forecasting services at additional
18 stations by upgrading existing gauge and discharge sites or
by establishing new gauge and discharge sites in addition to installation
of 22 wireless stations.
Financial
Assistance to States for Flood Management work
Besides the State plan funds, the
Government at present
is providing Central assistance to the State governments for taking
up priority flood management works.
Anti-erosion work in River Basins
Under the scheme “Improvement of
drainage in critical areas of the country”, the financial assistance
has been provided to the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa
and Uttar Pradesh during the IX and X Five Year Plans for taking
up various works for improvement of drainage due to floods.
Further, the scheme on
Critically anti-erosion works in coastal and other than Ganga basin States, Coastal Protection works
are planned and executed by the respective State governments.
However, in view of severity of the problems, Ministry of Water
Resources has formulated Centrally Sponsored Scheme -“Critically
anti-erosion works in coastal and other than Ganga basin States”-
for anti-sea erosion works in critical areas, which has been taken
up by the Government in March, 2004, on pilot basis with an estimated
cost of Rs.20.64 crore. The funding pattern of the scheme is 75:25
(Centre: State). Anti-sea erosion works for specific critical
areas in Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and
Pondicherry, have been included in the scheme. Since April 2005, the scheme has been
transferred to the State sector.
R&D Scheme
During the last two years, 100 schemes were sanctioned
under R&D Programme of the Ministry of Water Resources. Out
of these 100 schemes, 43 were research schemes, 5 were Performance
Evaluation studies, 3 were Environment Impact Evaluation Studies,
43 were water use efficiency studies and 6 were schemes related
to Financial Assistance for seminar/workshops.
Farakka
Barrage Project
The National
Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the UPA Government, inter-alia,
provides for prevention of erosion in Padma-Ganga and Bhagirathi,
as also flood control in the State of West Bengal. To protect
the assets of the Farakka Barrage Project, by undertaking anti-erosion
works in the critical zones of the Ganga-Padma and Bhagirathi
rivers with the consent of the government of West Bengal, the
jurisdiction of Farakka Barrage Project has been extended recently
upto Rajmahal, including Bhutni Diaras, in the upstream (40 km
from Farakka Barrage), and upto Jalangi in downstream (80 km from
Farakka Barrage).
The funds
for execution of the works will be provided by the Centre by enhancing
the allocation to the project from the Transport Sector. With
the proposed extension of the jurisdiction of Farakka Barrage
Project, the main four beneficiaries are Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar
Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur Districts of West Bengal, where
the anti-erosion protection works are being taken up on top priority
basis.
Rainwater
Harvesting and Ground Water Recharge
Financial assistance has been provided
to NGOs for construction of 375 rainwater harvesting structures
in government schools in remote villages under the ‘Demonstration
of Rain Water Harvesting from roof tops in rural schools.’
Ground water exploration in areas in Siachen Valley
For the first time in the
annals of the water resources development sector, a series of
tube wells were successfully constructed in acutely water scare
high altitude areas of Siachen Valley.
The logistically demanding and scientifically challenging
exploration is a path breaking achievement, which helped providing
water to the needy defence establishments who are relentlessly
guarding the nation’s frontiers.
Identification
of contamination free aquifers
Keeping in view the serious
concern of ground water quality in many States, the CGWB located
fluoride free aquifers (water bearing bodies) in the fluoride
infested areas of Madhya Pradesh, and in arsenic infested areas
of Bhojpur district of Bihar. These break-through findings will go a long
way in mitigating the chronic scarcity of quality water availability
in the contaminated areas.
Assistance
in drought affected States
The CGWB,
under the programme of ‘Assistance to drought affected States’,
drilled 512 wells giving timely relief to vast sections of rural
populations.
Water and Power Consultancy Services
(India) Ltd.
The turn over (consultancy
fee) of the Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Limited
(WAPCOS) has been increased from Rs. 8,658 lakh in 2004-05 (actuals)
to Rs.11,020 lakh (Provisional) in the financial year 2005-06.
Correspondingly the profit before tax has also increased
from Rs.1,146.77 lakh (actual) in 2004-05
to Rs.1,395 lakh (provisional).
The company secured projects in Eritrea, Zambia, Uganda,
Mozambique, Cambodia, Swaziland, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia
and Zimbabwe. During the year 2005-06, the company has paid
a dividend of Rs. 185 lakh, (provisional) against Rs.105 lakh
(actual)paid during the year 2004-05.
WAPCOS ISO quality systems were up upgraded from 9001:
1994 to 9001-2000. WAPCOS
has been awarded a mega project, viz. Reconstruction/Rehabilitation
and Completion of Salma dam Project (3x24 MW) in HERAT province,
Afghanistan, by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of
India, at a total cost of Rs. 351 crore.
The company has been upgraded to schedule ‘B’ from schedule
‘C’ in view of its consistent excellent performance.
Command
Area Development Programme
Under the
Centrally Sponsored Command Area Development and Water management
Programme of the Ministry, 133 projects are ongoing.
An amount of Rs. 141.51 crore and Rs. 196.50 crore have
been released to State governments as Central assistance under
the Programme during the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06,
respectively. The construction of field channels has been completed in an area
of 375 thousand hectare in the year
2004-05, and 279 hectare (upto December, 2005) in the year
2005-06.
Accelerated
Irrigation Benefits Programme
Under the Accelerated Irrigation
Benefits Programme (AIBP), support is extended to the States for
completion of irrigation projects.
In all, 105 major and medium irrigation projects, and 1835
minor irrigation schemes from 26 States have been provided Central
Loan Assistance (CLA)/Grant under AIBP.
A sum of Rs.1900.31 crore has been released as Central
Loan Assistance/Grant during 2005-06. Five Major/Medium irrigation projects were
reported, as completed during 2005-06 through AIBP support. Additional irrigation potential of about 5.5
lakh hectare has been created.
Further, under Minor Irrigation, an additional irrigation
potential of 12,327 was created.
It has been decided to further relax
the criteria of AIBP as under:
Ø
Special dispensation for completion of pre-fifth/fifth plan
projects
Ø
To include Extension/Renovation and modernisation projects
under AIBP in consultation with Planning Commission
Ø
To include new Minor Irrigation Schemes, with a potential of
more than 100 hectare in Non-Special Category States, with preference
to Tribal Areas and drought prone areas, in consultation with
Planning Commission.
Ø
To allow Grant Component under AIBP at the stage of release
of CLA.
Ø
To special category States/Region are provided central Loan
Assistance as 90 per cent grant and 10 per cent loan. The same facility has been extended to drought prone areas, flood
prone areas and Tribal areas in consultation with Planning Commission.
North
East Water Resources Authority
As per the announcements made
by the Prime Minister, and also recommendations of the Task Force,
inter-Ministerial consultations and discussions with the State
governments were held for setting up of North East Water Resources
Authority. All the States agreed to the proposal for constitution
of NEWRA except Arunachal
Pradesh. The concerns
of the government of Arunachal Pradesh are being further discussed
for reaching a consensus.
Sikkim
and North Bengal River Management Board
The Task
Force, on Flood Management/Erosion control, has recommended establishment
of Sikkim and North Bengal River Management Board. The concept note for constitution of Board was sent to Planning
Commission for seeking in principal approval.
The Planning Commission did not favour constitution of
such a Board in view of two similar organisations, namely GFCC
at Patna and Brahmaputra Board at Guwahati already existing under
the Ministry, regarding the same was sent to the concerned State
governments.
INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION
Cooperation
with China
A Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with China for provision
of hydrological information of the Sutlej (Langqen Zangbo) river
in flood season by China to India for flood control and disaster
mitigation in downstream areas and implementation plan for the
exchange of data is now under consultation between the two countries.
The 36th
meeting of Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was held at
Dhaka from September 19-21, 2005. This meeting has created a new
era of goodwill and trust between both the sides. India moved further in providing additional information
on flood forecasting and also the apprehensions of Bangladesh
on the River Interlinking Project that have been cleared. It has
been decided that both the Ministers would personally visit the
sites to look into the problem of erosion and the drainage problem
of Ichhamati, as well as examine the request of government of
Tripura, for installation of Minor lift irrigation schemes and
drinking water supply scheme on rivers Feni and Muhuri. The meeting
was held in an extremely friendly and cordial atmosphere.
The programme for
joint visit by Indian and Bangladesh Ministers of Water Resources
to the bank protection sites/ Minor irrigation schemes/Drinking
Water Supply schemes on common/border rivers of both the countries,
is under formulation. The visit is delayed due to elections in
West Bengal and proposed to be held on a mutually convenient date.
Cooperation with Nepal
Agreement was reached with Nepal to take up field investigations
and preparation of Detailed Project Report on Sapta Kosi High
Dam Multipurpose Project and Sun Kosi Storage Cum Diversion Scheme,
for which a Joint Project Office was opened at Biratnagar in Nepal
in August 2004. A scheme of estimated cost of Rs.29.34 crore, has already been approved
by the Government of India to take up the above work. The field investigations and preparation of
Detailed Project Report is likely to take about 30 months time. The Project, inter alia, will have substantial
flood control benefits for North Bihar.
The progress of preparation of DPR is being monitored by a
Joint Team of Experts, which is headed by Member (RM), CWC from
Indian side. The 7th meeting of the Joint Team of expert
(JTE) was held in March 2006, at Kathmandu, Nepal. In this meeting,
the progress of the project was reviewed and decisions were taken
to expedite the work.
Sub Committee on Embankment Construction
In order
to prevent/reduce extensive damage due to floods in Bihar and
Nepal near the India Nepal border, an understanding between India
and Nepal was reached to extend existing embankments on rivers
Lalbakeya, Kamla, Bagmati and Khando in Indian territory to Nepal,
and to tie them to high ground in Nepal with corresponding strengthening
of embankments on the Indian side.
The works
on the Nepalese side are funded by the Government of India through
Ministry of External Affairs, whereas Ministry of Water Resources,
under Centrally Sponsored Scheme is providing Central assistance
to Government of Bihar to take up the works on these rivers on
the Indian side. A Joint India Nepal Sub Committee on Embankment
construction is presently overseeing the construction of embankments
on these rivers in the Nepal portion. The 7th meeting
of this sub-committee was held on May 5-8, 2005, at Kathmandu
and on its recommendations, Nepalese Rs. 4.40 crore has been released
by MEA.
World
Bank assisted Hydrology Project Phase-II
The Government of India has
approved Hydrology Project Phase – II
for Hydrological Information System at an estimated cost
of Rs. 631.83 crore and the World Bank singed agreement on January
19, 2006, for loan assistance of US$ 104.98 million from International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
The project became effective from April 5, 2006.
The beneficiary States are Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh,
Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Orissa, Pondicherry, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, whereas,
Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB), Central Water Commission
(CWC), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Central Water &
Power Research Station (CWPRS), Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB), India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Institute
of Hydrology (NIH) and Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) are
the Central agencies, which will benefit from the project.
Brahmaputra
Board
Central Funding for critical
flood control and anti erosion projects in the North -eastern
states is being provided through a scheme amounting to Rs.150
crore, approved in December, 2004.
The scheme is being monitored by Brahmaputra Board.
Brahmaputra Board is also taking up flood protection and
anti erosion works in vulnerable areas of Majauli Island in Assam. The phase-I scheme for Rs.41.28 crore was approved in January, 2005.
Report
in Minor Irrigation Statistics
Under rationalisation of Minor
Irrigation Statistics Scheme of the Ministry of Water Resources,
third minor irrigation census was conducted in 33 States / UTs
(except Lakshdweep and Daman & Diu).
The Hon’ble Prime Minister released the All India Report
on Third Minor Irrigation Census in the Irrigation Minister’s
Conference in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, held on November 30, 2005.
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