(a) whether the Government has assessed the quantity of water being wasted in the country due to various factors and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is considering for effective utilization of excess rain and flood water of major rivers flowing to Pakistan and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has prepared any plan in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the time by which the plan is likely to be implemented?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) The average annual water availability has been assessed as 1869 BCM. It is estimated that owing to topographic, hydrological and other constraints, the utilizable water is 1137 BCM which comprises of 690 BCM of surface water and 447 BCM of replenishable ground water resources. Further, it has been estimated that about 450 BCM of surface water is being utilized for various purposes. As per the latest assessment of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), annual ground water utilization is 253 BCM. Thus, the quantity of water flowing down to the sea or across the border can be considered approximately as 1166 BCM (1869 - 450 - 253).
(b) to (d) Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 with Pakistan, Pakistan is entitled to receive unrestricted use of the Western rivers namely, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, which India is under obligation to let flow and shall not permit any interference with these waters except for domestic and non-consumptive use as provided in the Treaty.
Under the provisions of the Treaty, all the waters of the Eastern Rivers namely, Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi has been allocated to India for unrestricted use. To effectively utilize these waters, India has constructed the storage works like Bhakra dam on Sutlej, Pandoh and Pong dam on Beas and Thein (Ranjit Sagar) dam on Ravi. These storage works, together with other works like Beas-Sutlej Link, Madhopur-Beas Link, and Indira Gandhi Nahar Project and other regulation structures like Nangal dam, Ropar barrage, Harike barrage, Ferozepur barrage, etc., has helped India utilize nearly entire share of waters of Eastern rivers.
To further utilize the waters of river Ravi, a detailed project report (DPR) of the Ujh multi-purpose project on the river Ujh (a tributary of river Ravi) has been prepared which envisages an storage of about 0.65 million acre-feet (MAF). Further, Shahpurkandi Dam project, which is under construction on river Ravi, will help in utilizing the waters of river Ravi for irrigation as well as for power generation. The 2nd Ravi Beas Link has been proposed (at present at pre-feasibility stage) for optimal utilization of remaining water of Ravi river. Ujh Project, Shahpurkandi Dam Project and 2nd Ravi Beas Link projects have been declared as the National projects and are, thus, eligible for receiving financial assistance from the Government of India. Implementation of these projects vests with the respective State Governments. No time frame has been finalized for implementation of these projects.
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