Question : Utilisation of River Water

(a) the details of utilisation of river/rainrun- off water during the last three years and current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware that the maximum quantity of such water drains into the sea which causes recurring floods in the adjoining areas;

(c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with the quantity of unutilized water during the said period, State/UTwise;

(d) the efforts made by the Government to utilise such water properly; and

(e) the details of progress made as a result of the same?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) to (e) The average annual water availability in the country has been assessed as 1869 billion cubic meters (BCM). It has been estimated in the year 2009 by Central Water Commission (CWC)that about 450 BCM of surface water is being utilized for various purposes. Further, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has assessed in the year 2011 that about 245 BCM of ground water is being utilized for various purposes. The rest of the water could be considered to be flowing down to sea.

With a view to augmenting the water resources for utilization for various purposes, several measures are undertaken by the respective State Governments which, inter-alia, include conservation of water resources in reservoirs, traditional water bodies, rain water harvesting and artificial recharge of ground water. Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to the State Governments in this regard through various schemes and programmes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP); Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies etc.

Central Ground Water Board, under this Ministry has prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” in the year 2013, which envisages construction of different types of Artificial Recharge and Rainwater Harvesting structures in the country to harness 85 BCM of water to augment ground water resources. The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments for implementation.

Government of India has also launched the National Water Mission with the objective of ‘conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management’.

The live storage capacity of completed dams in the country is about 253.388 billion cubic meter (BCM). The storage capacity of dams under construction is about 50.959 BCM. Further, the storage capacity of dams under consideration for construction by the respective State Governments is about 104 BCM.


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