Lok Sabha Question No. 4423 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: River Basin Management Initiatives
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Ms Kangna Ranaut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4423

ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026

## RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES

## 4423. Ms KANGNA RANAUT:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the progress achieved under River Basin Management initiatives including inter-State river planning and investigations undertaken by river boards;

(b) the present status of major projects such as the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and their expected contribution to hydro-power generation, flood moderation and water availability; and

(c)  the  relevance  and  anticipated  benefits  of  river  basin-based  planning  for  Himalayan States including Himachal Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) Water is a State subject as per Entry 17 of List-II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The planning, development and management of water resources are primarily the responsibility of the State Governments.  However,  the  Government  of  India  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  States  by  providing technical support and financial assistance through various schemes and programmes. The Government of India is implementing the River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme, which, inter-alia, includes activities of  the  Brahmaputra  Board  and  the  Investigation  of  Water  Resource  Development  Scheme  through  the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).

The Brahmaputra Board has carried out extensive surveys and investigations in the Brahmaputra and Barak basins and prepared 52 Master Plans covering flood control, bank erosion, drainage improvement and multipurpose development. These Master Plans have been approved by the Government of India and shared with the concerned State Governments for implementation. The Board also undertakes preparation of  Detailed  Project  Reports  (DPRs)  for  multipurpose  projects  and  conducts  special  studies  relating  to flood, erosion and sedimentation.

Further, under inter-basin planning, NWDA is implementing the Interlinking of Rivers programme under  the  National  Perspective  Plan  (NPP)  (1980)  covering  30  link  projects,  for  which  Pre-Feasibility Reports for all links, Feasibility Reports for 26 links and Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for 14 links have

been completed including one Intra State link project. Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first link under NPP for which implementation is initiated.

In  addition,  various  Boards/Authorities  have  been  constituted,  either  under  an  Act  or  based  upon some agreement reached among the concerned basin States for water resources management in various river  basins,  viz;  Brahmaputra  Board,  Betwa  River  Board,  Tungabhadra  Board,  Narmada  Control Authority,  Cauvery  Water  Management  Authority,  Godavari  River  Management  Board,  Krishna  River Management  Board,  Bansagar  Control Board, Upper  Yamuna  River  Board,  etc. These Boards/ Authorities, inter alia, assist the basin States in mutual resolution of issues pertaining to water sharing, etc. as and when required.

Further,  Central  Water  Commission  (CWC)  formulated  key  guidelines  to  strengthen  river  basin management  initiatives  in  India  from  time  to  time,  including  the Guidelines  for  Preparation  of  River Basin  Master  Plan (1990),  subsequently  revised  in  2007  to  address  emerging  challenges;  and  the Guidelines  on  Integrated  Water  Resources  Development  and  Management  (IWRDM) (2016),  which promote  holistic  planning,  sustainable  development,  and  coordinated  water  resource  utilization  across basins.

(b) The draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project has been prepared by M/s WAPCOS Ltd and submitted to Pancheshwar Development Authority (PDA) in 2016. As per DPR the hydro-power generation from PMP is 5040 MW and Design flood for diversion is 16651 Cumecs.

In addition, several multipurpose projects such as Siang, Subansiri, Tipaimukh, Dibang, Lohit Dam Project, LakhwarMulti Purpose Project, Renukaji Dam Project, Kishau Multi-Purpose Project, etc. are at different stages of development including DPR preparation, appraisal and implementation.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), 99 major/medium irrigation projects were identified,  out  of  which  71  projects  have  been  completed,  creating  an  additional  irrigation  potential  of 29.23 lakh hectare and developing 22.21 lakh hectare command area.

(c) River  basin-based  planning  is  of  critical  importance  for  Himalayan  States  including  Himachal Pradesh, as it enables integrated and scientific management of water resources across river systems. Such an  approach  facilitates  improved  flood  management  and  erosion  control,  development  of  hydropower potential,  enhanced  irrigation  and  drinking  water  availability,  and  watershed  management  along  with ecological conservation.

In Himachal Pradesh, major river basins such as Satluj, Beas, Ravi and Yamuna benefit from such integrated planning, thereby contributing to sustainable development and improved water security in the region.

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