(a) whether the study conducted on the viability of Peninsular Water Grid has been completed;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government have consulted the State Government
concerned in the matter; and
(d) if so, the reaction of the State Governments thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) to (d) In 1980, the Ministry of Water Resources, then
known as the Ministry of Irrigation, formulated a National
Perspective Plan for integrated water resources development
through inter-linkages of several southern based Peninsular rivers
and the Himalayan rivers. Through this programme it is intended
to assess the surplus basins as of now for possible transfer of
water from surplus to deficit basins in order to optimally utilize
the water resources of the country. With this purpose the
Government of India has established the National Water Development
Agency (NWDA) in 1982 as an autonomous society to carryout water
balance and feasibility studies of the Peninsular and Himalayan
rivers. Union Minister of Water Resources heads the Society and
Chief Ministers/Irrigation Ministers of the States are its
Members. There is also a Governing Body under the Chairmanship
of Secretary (Water Resources) and a Technical Advisory Committee
under the Chairmanship of Chairman, Central Water Commission,
where also State Governments are represented. These bodies meet
regularly to review progress made in the National Perspective Plan
and to decide the further course of action. NWDA has identified
16 links under Peninsular rivers component of National Perspective
Plan for preparation of Feasibility Report through prefeasibility
studies and has completed Feasibility Report of 6 links.