(a) whether the Government is aware that certain rivers originating from Nepal are causing flood in India, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken up the matter with Nepal and requested to construct dams on the said rivers, if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
(c) the time by which the issue is likely to be resolved and dams constructed?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION
(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)
(a) to (c) Yes, Madam. The rivers flowing from Nepal to India are causing floods in India, mainly in the States of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The major rivers causing such floods are Sharda, Ghaghra, Gandak, Koshi and Rapti.
The management of floods due to these rivers has been a concern and the related issues are discussed in the existing Indo-Nepal bilateral three tier mechanisms comprising of (i) Joint Ministerial Level Commission on Water Resources (JMCWR), (ii) Joint Committee on Water Resources (JCWR) and (iii) Joint Standing Technical Committee (JSTC). Government of India has been constantly persuading the Government of Nepal for construction of dams on these rivers for mutual benefit of the two countries. Broad outcomes of the dialogues mechanism are given below:
1. Pancheshwar Development Authority (PDA) has been set up jointly by India and Nepal for execution, operation and maintenance of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project on river Sharda. The work of preparation of DPR of Pancheshwar Project has been awarded to M/s WAPCOS Limited. Implementation of Pancheshwar Project is expected to pave way for other projects in Nepal.
2. Survey and investigation including preparation of DPRs of Sapta Kosi High dam Project and Sun Koshi Storage-cum- Diversion scheme proposed in the Sapta Kosi basin in Nepal have been undertaken.
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