(a) whether the Union Government has any plan for the revival of Farakka Barrage project;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government is giving due cognizance towards the problem of eutrophication of water bodies;
(d) if so, the details of the steps the Union Government is contemplating to address the issue; and
(e) the innovative steps the Union Government is taking to reduce dependenceon ground water?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION; PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND TEXTILES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE).(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) & (b) Farakka Barrage Project (FBP) was commissioned in 1975 with an objective of preservation of Calcutta port by diverting Ganga water from the Farakka barrage through Feeder canal. The barrage being 40 years old, the Hydro-mechanical components have outlived their economic life and the same needs replacement. Accordingly, replacement of all the 123 barrage gates, modernization of Navigational lock and other necessary works required for the safety of barrage is being done in phases; so as to ensure that the Project continues to serve its intended objectives efficiently.
(c) & (d) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is implementing the Centrally sponsored schemes of National Lake Conservation Programme (NLCP) and National Wetland Conservation Program (NWCP) for conservation and management of polluted and degraded lakes and wetlands in the country. Different conservation activities under NLCP include interception, diversion, and treatment of wastewater, catchment area treatment, shoreline protection, in-lake treatment, lakefront development etc. Similarly, under NWCP also, financial assistance has been provided for conservation and management of identified wetlands in the country, including Ramasar sites. The activities taken up under the scheme include survey and demarcation, afforestation, catchment area treatment, water management, protection measures, fisheries development, weed control, pollution abatement, echo-development etc. For better synergy and to avoid overlap, both the schemes have been merged in to one integrated scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems for holistic conservation of lakes and wetlands during the XII plan period on 70:30 funding pattern (90:10 for North-East states.)
(e) To reduce the dependence on Ground water, Government of India promotes water conservation measures in the country by supplementing efforts of State Governments for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources by way of technical and financial support through its various schemes; such as, Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme; Command Area Development and Water Management; Repair Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies etc. Govt. of India has also set up National Water Mission with the objective of conservation of water and prepared a Master Plan for artificial recharge to Ground water in the country. Besides, a Model bill has been circulated to all States and UTs to enable them to enact ground water legislation for its regulation, development and conservation.