Lok Sabha Question No. 2066 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-10
Subject: Utilisation of River Water
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: B.N. CHANDRAPPA, NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, B.V. NAYAK, RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA, M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2066

ANSWERED ON 10.12.2015

## UTILISATION OF RIVER WATER

| 2066.   | SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA SHRI B.V. NAIK SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI   | SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA   |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(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?

## ANSWER

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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