Compilation of Siltation Data of Gujarat’s 60 Reservoirs by CWC -- MoS Water Resources replies to MP Parimal Nathwani

GNN | Nov 28, 2016, 3:54 PM IST|

New Delhi, November 28, 2016: The Central Water Commission (CWC) has compiled the siltation data of selected 243 reservoirs in the country of which 60 reservoirs are in the state of Gujarat. e Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan informed Rajya Sabha on November 28, 2016 in a reply to the question raised by Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani.
According to the statement of the minister, maintenance and operation of reservoirs is prime responsibility of dam owners who are generally state governments or central agencies like BBMB and NHPC. In order to supplement the efforts of the state governments, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation provides technical and financial assistance to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes and programmes such as Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) and Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Programme (DRIP), said the statement.
Nathwani wanted to know about the need of dredging, cleaning, beautification of water reservoirs in the country, requirement of proper infrastructure, the government’s plan to support such reservoirs across India and the steps taken by the Government to overcome the existing problems and enhance the infrastructure.
The statement also said that DRIP envisages the enhancement of safety and operational performance of existing 225 dams, in addition to building the institutional capacity of the Dam Safety Organisations of the participating states and Central Dam Safety Organisation in CWC. The project is being implemented with financial assistance from World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs2100 crore, in seven states of India, namely, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jharkhand (DVC) and Uttarakhand (UJVNL). The six year project had started with effect from 18th April, 2012. There are three dams of Jharkhand included under DRIP for improvement of safety level, said the statement.
The minister also stated that for reservoirs de-siltation/beautification works in addition to other dam safety works, four dam projects of Tamil Nadu viz Pillur, Kundahpalam, Marvakandi & Papanasam Diversion Weir, one dam of Uttarakhand viz Maneri Bhali and one dam of Odisha viz Hirakud are included in DRIP.