Question : NATIONAL WATER PROJECTS



(a) the criteria fixed to classify any water project as national project;

(b) the details of projects declared as national water projects as on date, Statewise; and

(c) the funds allocated and released for each project so far?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)

(a). As per guidelines of the scheme of national projects, any new ongoing project fulfilling the following criteria is eligible for consideration as national project:

1. International projects where usage of water in India is required by a treaty or where planning and early completion of the project is necessary in the interest of the country.

2. Inter-State projects which are dragging on due to non-resolution of Inter-State issues relating to sharing of costs, rehabilitation, aspects of power production etc., including river interlinking projects.

3. Intra-State projects with additional potential of more than 2,00,000 hectare (ha) and with no dispute regarding sharing of water and where hydrology is established.

(b) The State wise details of the 14 projects declared as national projects are given in Annex-I.

(c) So far, grant amounting to Rs.1805.28 crore for Gosikhurd Project of Maharashtra and Rs.10.80 crore for Shahpur Kandi Project of Punjab have been released.

At the 4th meeting of the High Powered Steering Committee for national projects held on 9th February 2011, Rs.777.61 crore for Gosikhurd Project of Maharashtra, Rs.81.00 crore for Teesta Barrage Project of West Bengal and Rs.16.93 crore for Shahpur Kandi project of Punjab have been earmarked for 2010-11.