Question : HEADWORKS AT HARIKE

(a) whether the valuable water of Ravi, Beas and Satluj rivers flows out of the country despite the fact that the capacity of headworks of Indira Gandhi Feeder located at Harike is 15,000 cusecs and its design capacity is 18,500 cusecs;

(b) if so, whether this water can be utilised in drought prone areas like Rajasthan by increasing the capacity of headworks located at Harike;

(c) if so, whether the Government proposes to give advice to the Punjab Government regarding increasing the capacity of headworks located at Harike from 15000 cusecs to 18,500 cusecs so that wastage of water could be prevented during floods; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) As informed by Punjab, the water of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers are not going waste because of the capacity of head regulator of Indira Gandhi Feeder situated at Harike being 15000 cusec instead of the design capacity of 18500 cusec.

(b) Does not arise in view of the above. As per Government of Punjab, though the Indira Gandhi Feeder was designed for 18500 cusec, it is unable to carry even 15000 cusec with passage of time.

(c) & (d)It is upto the concerned States to come up with any techno-economically feasible proposal.