Question : REVIEW OF DAM OPERATIONS

(a)Whether the Ministry has suggested States to review dam operations and revision of flood cushion provisions in a transparent manner; and

(b) If so, the details thereof and the response of the State Government thereon ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES(SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV)

(a)to(b) Reservoir Management is within the purview of State Government. Central Water Commission issues inflow forecast for selected reservoirs on the request of State Governments. The Ministry of Water Resources formulated a National Water Policy in 1987, which was subsequently revised in 2002. In the National Water Policy document 2002, it is stipulated that there should be a Master Plan for flood control and management for each flood prone basin. It has also been suggested to the States that adequate flood cushion should be provided in water storage projects wherever feasible, to facilitate better flood management. In highly flood prone areas, flood control should be given overriding consideration in reservoir regulation policy even at the cost of sacrificing some irrigation or power benefits. Copies of this policy documents were sent to all concerned and the State Governments for compliance. The Task Force for Flood Management/Erosion Control constituted in 2004 by the Ministry of Water Resources of the Government of India has also recommended that even in reservoirs constructed for power/irrigation, the operation rules be framed in such a way that effective flood moderation becomes feasible. The flood management benefit can be enhanced by installing modern and effective flood forecasting and warning network in the catchment areas of reservoirs for real time forecasting and to allow maximum possible moderation of the anticipated flood peaks by effective reservoir management.