Question : WIDENING AND DEEPENING OF RIVERS

(a) the details of such rivers in various States of the country which require widening and deepening;

(b) the details of financial assistance being provided by the Union Government for the purpose, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the State Government of Maharashtra is facing some hindrances in widening and deepening of Meethi river in Mumbai and if so, the details thereof and the assistance to be provided by the Union Government therefor;

(d) whether the Government is strengthening the river beds of Godavari and Krishna rivers in Andhra Pradesh; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the amount spent for this purpose during the last three years?

THE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a)&(b) Flood management including widening and deepening of rivers being within the purview of States, the related schemes are formulated by concerned State Governments as per priority within the State. The Government of India provides support to the State Governments which is technical, advisory, catalytic and promotional in nature. Dredging of rivers in general is not recommended due to high cost of post-dredging maintenance and problem of disposal of excavated earth. However, dredging of rivers could be undertaken if it is considered an absolute necessity based on model studies. The Ministry of Water Resources has not received proposals requiring dredging of rivers in general. However, the Ministry of Water Resources has provided central assistance of Rs. 36.72 crore to the State Government of West Bengal during XI Plan for specific dredging of river Ichhamati.

(c) The Government of Maharashtra had formulated a Detailed Project Report (DPR) amounting to Rs. 1379.35 crore for works related to widening and deepening of Meethi River which had been techno-economically examined by Central Water Commission, and the observations have been communicated to the Government of Maharashtra in July, 2012.

(d) No such proposal was received from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for central assistance under Flood Management Programme launched by the Government of India during XI Plan.

(e) Does not arise in view of reply under part (d) above.