(a) the criteria being adopted for classification of reservoirs/
dams in the country;
(b) the number of major reservoirs/ dams in the country along with
their storage capacity, State-wise;
(c) the quantity and the percentage of water of these reservoirs/
dams used for irrigation purposes; and
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for better utilisation of the water stored in the above reservoirs/ dams?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES ( SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) As per National Register of large Dams (NRLD), a compilation of
data regarding large dams in the country is as given below
1. A large dam (other than earthen dams) is classified as one with a
maximum height of more than 15 metres from its deepest foundation to the crest.
2. A dam between 10 and 15 metres in height from its deepest foundation
is also included in the classification of a large dam provided it complies
with one of the following conditions:
(i) length of crest of the dam is not less than 500 metres or
(ii) capacity of the reservoir formed by the dam is not less than
one million cubic metres or
(iii) the maximum flood discharge dealt with by the dam is not less
than 2000 cubic metres per second or
( iv) the dam has specially difficult foundation problems, or
(v) the dam is of unusual design
3. For earthen dams following definition of large dams has been
adopted from “IS 12169-1987-criteria for design of small embankment
dams†for inclusion under NRLD.
(i) `Large Dams : A dam exceeding 15m in height above deepest river
bed level and a dam between 10 and 15 m height provided volume of
earthwork exceeds 0.75 million cubic meter and storage exceeds 1 million
cubic meter or the maximum flood discharge exceeds 2000 cumecs
(b) Based on above criteria, as per NRLD, there are 4710 nos.
completed large dams in the country. The State-wise storage capacity
of aforesaid completed large dams is enclosed at annexure.
(c)&(d) Water being a State subject, the operation and regulation
of water in dams/reservoirs is done by respective project authority/ State
Government as per their requirement. However, the Government of India has
taken up Command Area Development (CAD) Programme for development of
adequate delivery system of irrigation water up to farmers’ field with
an objective to enhance water use efficiency and production and
productivity of crops per unit of land and water. The programme
is in operation since 1974-75.