Theme Paper

1. Theme Paper
on
ROLE OF "WATE RESOURCES
DEVELOPMENT & MA AGEMENT
IN BHARAT NIRMAN
Indian Water Re 0 rces Soci tv
at Water. Resources Development and Management
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Roorkee - 247 667 (Uttarakhand)

2. CONTENTS
Chapter No. Title Page No.
Chapter I Water Resources Development
Present and Future Scenario
Chapter II Role ofWater Resources Development in 11
Ascertaining Socio-economic Growth
Chapter III Bharat Nirman Plan (2005-2009) 15
Chapter IV Water Sector Issues and Opportunities 22
in Bharat Nirman Plan
1

3. CHAPTER I
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
PRESENT AND FUTURE SCENARIO
1.0 Introduction
India, though have achieved remarkable progress in the area of water resources
development since independence, is nevertheless experiencing range of issues in the
water sector primarily due to meteorologicalreasons such as severe climatic variations as
well as factors. like rapid growth of population, urbanization & industrialization. The
demographic and economic growth of the country is further slated to carryon its
momentuin for at least half a century more. The water sector in India, which comfnands
merely 4% of the global freshwater resources and supports 16% of the world's
popUlation, is hard-pressed to maintain the delicate balance between the demand and
supply due to shrinking per capita availability and difficulties faced in development of
remammg resources.
The cabinet has declared the year 2007 as "Water Year" with the focus on
developing consensus on appropriate measures including legislation on better
management of the water sector, timely completion of irrigation projects, maintenance of
existing projects to ensure water availability to farmers, awareness programmes for the
masses, organization of conferences, workshops on important development and
management issues. Water Resources day is being organized since 1987-88 and World
Water Day since 1994 to deliberate and formulate strategy on some of the important
aspects of water resources development and management and the saine theme is
propagated thro"ughout the country during the year.
Water being the most vital input for ·supporting life and sustaining socio­
economic development, the policies and strategies impinge on society largely. Hence for
the overall development of the country the proper handling of this finite resource is
crucial. The success of Government of India's endeavour a]ong with State Governments
and Panchayat Raj Institutions, in Bharat Nirman Plan, is rooted on efficient water
resources development and management.
1.1 National Water Policy
The National Water Policy was adopted in September, 1987. However, since a
number of issues and challenges emerged in the development and management of the
water resources, the National Water Policy (1987) was reviewed and the updated
National'Water Policy (2002) was adopted by the National Water Resources Council in
its 5th
meeting held on 1st April 2002. Recognising water as a precious national asset, the
National Water Policy (2002) embodies the Nation's resolve that planning, development
and management of ~ater resources would be governed by National Perspectives. The
policy recognizes the drainage basin as the basic unit ofplanning, development and

4. management of' water resources and calls for appropriate measures to optimise utilisation
of this resource.
The updated National WaterPolicy lays emphasis on integrated water resources
development and management for optimal and sustainable utilisation of the available
surface and groundwater. The role of creation of well-developed information system,
_water conservation, demand management, performance improvement, participatory
approach to water resources management, promotion of non-conventional methods for
water utilisation, etc. have been duly emphasized in the National Water Policy, 2002. It
integrates quantity and quality aspects as well as environmental considerations for water
-through adequate institutional arrangements. Besides, ecological needs have also been
assigned due priority in the water allocation. The involvements of beneficiaries and
stakeholders in the project planning and participatory approach in water resources
management have been equally stressed in the policy. Significant emphasis has also been
laid on water quality aspects, which include maintaining minimum flow in the streams
and treatment · of effluents to acceptable standards. Issues like resettlement &
-rehabilitation have also been emphasized in the revised policy
1.2 -Water Resources Availability
1.2.1 Average Water Resources Potential
Proper assessment of the availability of water from surface and sub-surface
sources is the cornerstone _for proper planning, development and management. As
already elaborated above, the precipitation, in the form of rain and snowfall, is a crucial
component of the hydrological cycle that makes fresh water available on a renewable
basis. The geographical area India is 329 million hectares (Mba). The mean annual ­
rainfall, taking the co.untry as a whole, is 1170 mm. This gives an annual precipitation of
about 4,000 Km3
. A significant part of this p~ecipitation seeps into the ground and the
balance flows through streams and rivers and collects in water bodies adding to the
surface flow. A part of the water that seeps into the ground remains as soil moisture in
-the upper layers and the rest adds to the ground water resources. Subsequently, a major
part of the water from surface flows, soil m~istureand ground water sources, when put to
-various uses, returns to the atmosphere through evapo-transpiration and evaporation. Part
of the water from -surface flows may enter ground w<l;ter and add to ground water
resources and part of the ground water again returns to streams and rivers. Thus the
surface and the ground water sources are inter-linked, continuously inter-active and
therefore very much part of a single entity. It is, therefore, extremely difficult, if not
impossible, to quantify them separately over a period oftime in given locations.
As per the Reassessment of Water Resources Potential of India by Central Water
Commission in 1993, the average annual water resources potential ofthe country is 1869
-Billion Cubic Metre (BCM). - ­
The National Commission for Water Resources Development (NCIWRD) while
assessing the potential, agreed with the estimates of the Reassessment study carried out
2

5. by ewc (1993) excepting the cases of Brahmaputra and Krishna basins. Taking into
account of the above two basin variations, the estimation of NCIWRD yielded that the
average annual water resources potential of the country is 1953 BCM. .
The Standing Sub-Committee for'Assessment of Availability and Requirement of
Water for Diverse Uses in the Country' constituted by the MoWR in its Report (August,
. 2000) observed that the latest assessment made by CWC in the year 1993 that is, 1869 .
BCM are considered as reliable.
1.2.2 Ground Water Resources
Groundwater in India is the primary source of water supply for domestic and
many industrial uses.· More importantly, it is the single largest and most productive
source of irrigation water. At present, 85% of the water supplies for domestic use in rural
areas, 50% of water for urban and industrial uses and 55% of the irrigation water
requirements are being met from groundwater.
The arumal replenishable groundwater resources has been estimated to be at 433
BCM. This is the sum total of the potential due to natural recharge from rainfall and the
potential due to recharge augmentation from canal irrigation system.
1.2.3 Utilisable Water Resources
Within the limitations of physiographic . conditions and socio-political
environment, legal and constitutional constraints and the technology of development
available at a given point of time, utilizable quantity of water from the surface has been
assessed from time to time. It has been estimated that out of the average annual water
resource potential of 1869 BCM, the average annual utilisable water resource (surface
and ground) is 1123 BCM of which about 690 BCM is from surface water and 433 BCM
is from ground water.
i
1.3· Present scenario of water resources development
During the plan-period India witnessed considerable developmental activities that
covered an sectors like irrigation, drinking water supply, hydropower generation etc. The
key aspects of the water resources scenario in India are discussed below.
1.3.1 Irrigation sector
The cultivable area of the country is estimated to be about 186 Mha out of
which about 142 Mha is under cultivation. The ultimate irrigation potential of the country .
through major, medium and minor irrigation projects has been assessed as 140 million ·
hectare ·(Mha) by conventional storage and diversion works. The ultimate irrigation
potential of the country is 140 Mha of which 58.50 Mha. is major and medium irrigation
projects, 17.40 m.ha. is minor surface water schemes and 64.10 Mha. is ground water
schemes. The imgation potential created of the country, which was only 22.6 Mha during
3

6. the time of independence has gone upto 102.77 Mha by March, 2006. The irrigation
potential utilised presently stands at 85.56 Mha. The growth in irrigation sector has
contributed significantly to the rise in food production from 51 Million Tonnes at the
time of independence to the present level of 21 0 Million Tonnes. This has resulted in the
country becoming self sufficient in food production.
As much as 52 percent rise in food grain production .can be attributed to
increase in irrigated area. Productivity of irrigated lands in India ranges from around 1.5
tonnes per ha to 4.0 tonnes per ha for cereal crops compared to achievable target of about
5 to 6 tonnes per ha. Though productivity in irrigated areas has increased, such increases
are still way below the world standards and of developing countries like China and
Brazil. With rise in population and industrialization putting pressure on land, it is
expected that cultivated area will stabilize at 140-145 Mha. As irrigated agriculture is
more productive than rainfed agriculture, to meet the countries future needs of food and
fibre it is imperative to bring more area under irrigation.
At present irrigation sector consumes as much as 83% of available water
resources. With the demand from other sectors rising at a faster pace, the availability of
water for irrigation would reduce. It is, therefore necessary to improve the performance
of existing system. Higher degree of efficiencies in the management of water use in
irrigation sector is required to be achieved to sustain production of crops. Irrigation
efficiency should be improved from the present average of about 35-40 per cent to the
maximum achievable i.e. around 60 per cent. Wherever water is scares if economically
advantageous deficit irrigation may be practiced. Water intensive crops such as
sugarcane and paddy should be discouraged in the areas ofwater scarcity.
1.3.2 Creation of storages
Severe spatial and temporal vanatlOns in rainfall promptedt:hat creation of
storages be given due priority within the overall plan for water resources development. .
The successive Five-year Plans initiated after independence, therefore laid significant
. emphasis on creation of storages that resulted in many remarkable achievements. Many
major, medium and minor water resources projects have been constructed during these
last six decades and India, today with about 4050 completed large dams and 475 are
under various stages of construction, ranks third in the world after China and USA in
terms of number of large dams. All these projects have resulted in increasing the live
storage capacity from 15.6 BCM at the time of independence to 282 BCM including 57
BCM from minor irrigation schemes of surface water, now. Storages held in these dams
are insurance against the vagaries of nature. Projects under construction are likely to add
another 64 BCM while 108 BCM is to be contributed by the projects under
contemplation.
Even after such relentless persuasion to create more storages, till date, the present
level of development on the country in terms of creation oflive storages is only just more
than 11% of the average annual water resources potential of the country. The level of
creation of storages in India is decisively lower compared to some other nations in the
4

7. world. The per capita storage in the country which is about 275 m3
is way below the
storage achieved in many of the countries such as Russia (6103 m Australia (4733 m
Brazil (3145 m United States (1964 m Turkey (1739 m Spain (1410 m Mexico ·
3
(1245 m China (1111 m ) and South Africa (753 m3
) and there is an urgent need to
vigorously pursue the case for creating storages, wherever feasible, given it's projected
rise in population, urbanization & industrialization.
1.3.3 Urban & Rural Water Supply
The National Water Policy 2002 gives over riding priority to drinking water over
other uses. The objective of any water supply scheme is to supply safe and clean water in
adequate quantity and as economically as possible. Lot of effluent or wastewater is
generated in domestic sector, which flows back untreated to the already shrinking water
bodies. Ground·water is also getting contaminated. In development of water resources for
domestic use, the ·most important and challenging issue is that of sustainability of
resource and quality. With population growth and rise in urbanization, the demand for
treated water for domestic use is increasing rapidly.
About 92% of urban population has been covered by safe drinking water.
Drinking water requirement of most of mega cities are met from reservoir of irrigation or
multi-purpose schemes existing nearby and even by long distance transfer. The rural
habitations have been provided access to the safe drinking water from hand pumps and
stand posts and about as well as mini and regional piped water supply schemes. More
than 85 percent of rural water supply is ground water based and consumes about 5
percent of the total annual replenishable ground water.
1.3.4 Development in Power sector
Another. important developing sector of economy using substantial quantity of
water is power sector and therefore water resources is an integral component for the
development of power sector in India. Coil, oil, gas and hydroelectric potential constitute
the conventional sources for electricity in the country. Of these, coal-based thermal
power plants and, in some regions, hydropower, have been the mainstay of electricity
generation. Presently, the total installed capacity of the country is 1,28,435 MW of which
the thermal power accounts for 84,234 MW which is 65.6% of the total installed
capacity.
Hydropower is a renewable, economic, non- polluting and environmentally
benign source of energy. Hydropower stations have the inherent ability for instantaneous
starting, stopping, load variations etc. and help in improving reliability of the power
system. Furthermore, there is no fuel cost during the life of the station as hydropower
generation is a non-consumptive use of water. The benefits of hydropower as a clean,
environment friendly and economically attractive source of energy have now been
sufficiently recognized. The need for its accelerated development also comes from its
capability of erihanced system reliability and economics of utilization of resources. The
5

8. National Water Policy, 2002 has accorded high priority to hydropower development only
next to drinking water and irrigation water use in context to water allocation priorities.
The total installed capacity in hydropower is 34,110 MW i.e 26.6% of the total
installed capacity. Only around 23% of the total hydropower potential (the total
hydroelectric potential in the country is assessed as 84044 MW at 60% load factor, which
is equivalent to an installed capacity of 1,50,000 MW) has been harnessed so far. The
combined installed capacity for nuclear and renewable sources is 10091 MW. The share
of hydropower in the overall energy mix needs to be boosted to achieve an ideal
hydroelectric-thermal mix of40: 60.
1.3.5 Flood Protection
Flood is one ofthe natural calamities that India faces almost every year in varying
degree or magnitUde. The frequent occurrence of flood can be attributed to various
factors, including wide variation in rainfall over time and space and inadequate carrying
capacity of rivers. The problems get accumulated due to silting, bank erosion, landslide,
poor natural drainage, glacial lake outburst etc. Indiscriminate development and
encroachment of flood plain areas, improper planning & construction of roads, railway
lines, etc. have also been responsible for increase in flood damages. Total flood prone
area in the country, as per the Report ofRashtriya Barh Aayog (RBA) of 1980, is 40 mha.
This has now been reassessed to 45.36 mha. On an average, an area of 7.55 mha is
affected by the floods every year and the average annual flood damage is Rs 1,805 crore.
A multi pronged strategy ranging from modifying the floods by means of
structural measures toleaming to live with the floods by means of other non structural
measures is well within pragmatic realism in flood management. Measures for protection
against extreme floods of low frequency are seldom economically feasible. The term
'flood management' may rationally be expected to refer to the provision of a reasonable
degree of protection against floods by structural / non structural measures to mitigate the
recurring havoc caused by floods.
After the disastrous floods experienced by the country in 1954, a National
Programme of .Flood management was launched. During the five decades since then,
different methods of flood protection, both long term and short term, have been adopted
in different States depending upon the nature of problem and local conditions. The
available information compiled from details furnished by the States relating to length of
embankment and drainage channels indicates that 33929 km of embanlanents and 38810
km of drainage channels have been constructed. In addition 2458 town protection works
have been completed and 4716 villages raised above flood levels. This have resulted in
providing reasonable protection to an area of 18.22 m.ha.
Apart from the direct flood control works, reservoirs with specific flood cushion
have ,been constructed on the Damodar river to provide protection to areas in the
downstream. In addition, storages constructed across Mahanadi (at Hirakud), Sutlej (at
Bhakra), Chambal (at Gandhi sagar), Brahmani (at Rengali), and Tapi (at Ukai) as also a
6

9. number of other major and medium reservOIrs, have helped greatly III reducing the
intensity of flood and flood damages.
In addition to the structural flood protection measures, non-structural measures
like flood forecasting and warning of incoming floods have also played significant role in
reducing the loss of life and movable property apart from alerting the civil and
engineering authorities in-charge of various works to take appropriate advance action to
fight the onslaught of floods. The Central Water Commission manages a major network
of 173 such flood forecasting stations on inter-state rivers in 18 States. The techniques of
observation of hydrological and hydro-meterological data and their transmission to the
forecasting station have been constantly under review for making necessary
improvements to make the forecasts more accurate and also to give higher lead time. On
an average, CWC is issuing 5619 flood forecasts with 96.55% accuracy.
1.3.6 Industrial Water Use
While at present the estimated water requirement for industrial water use is only
.around 8-12 BCM, with urbanization and industrialization, the water demand for
industrial purposes is also slated to increase significantly. Necessary measures to reduce
the demand should be taken by adopting processes with minimum use of water, recycle
and re-use etc. Tariff rates should be prescribed so that industries feel compelled to look
into technological intervention leading reduced water requirement per unit production.
1.3.7 Other Uses like Navigation, Ecology, Recreational activities etc.
Navigable waterways in India, comprising of river systems, canals, hackwaters,
creeks and tidal inlet extend to about 14,500 kms. Most waterways, however, suffer from
navigational inadequacies such as shallow waters, narrow width and bank erosion.
Moreover, vertical and horizontal clearances at overhead structures are not adequate for
navigation throughout the year. Consequently, at present about 5200 kms of major rivers
and 485 kms of canals are considered suitable for mechanized crafts.
In the earlier period with less of population and consequently less of related
activities, nature could cope with whatever damage was inflicted on the resources,
quickly restoring the balance. But in recent times, with the growth of population and its
consequent activities, the restorative capacity of nature and the environment is being
continuously eroded, affecting the quality of life on the planet Earth. Ecology is now
concerned not only with living elements, but also with their interrelationships with
society and culture. Prevention of environmental degradation and degradation of the
natural resources base is essential for sustainable development. ,
The negative environmental consequences are caused due to deforestation, soil
erosion, unplanned il}.dustrialization, indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides in
agriculture, drought floods, water logging, water pollution, population growth, large scale
7 ' -' .

10. poverty etc. Glohal climatic change and atmospheric pollution could also have an impact
on fresh water resources and their availability. Protection, enhancement and restoration
of water quality and abatement of water pollution are necessary for providing not only
safe drinking water and maintaining and improving human health but are also important
for sustaining land quality, agriculture and industrial production and for supporting the
socio-economic growth as such.
The need for water demand for ecological purposes including conserving the
environment, maintaining lean period flows, aquatic life etc. therefore needs to be
worked out on scientific basis. Allocation for this purpose should be made while
considering the construction of new reservoirs/storages.
Recreational facilities also sometimes contribute to a large extent· in the
development of economy at the micro level (of a particular localized area) through
promotion of tourism. The reservoir sites owing to their topographical as well as
environmental advantage often become the hub of such recreational activities. Besides a
host of direct benefits, water therefore plays a significant role in contributing indirectly to
the growth of the nation through promotion of tourism, employment generation etc.
1.4 Future projected scenario
1.4.1 Assessment by Standing Sub-Committee
A Standing Sub-Committee for assessment of availability and requirement of
water for diverse uses in the country constituted by the Ministry of Water Resources in its
report (August 2000) assessed the requirements of water for various sectors as given in
the Table-1 below.
Table-I: Water Requirement for Various Sector~
Sector Water Demand in Billion Cubic meter (BCM)
2000 2010 2025 2050
Irrigation 541 688 910 1072
Drinking Water 42 56 73 102
Industry 8 12 23 63
Energy . 2 5 15 130
Others 41 52 72 80
Total 634 813 1093 1447
On the basis of the above assessment, the Sub-Committee observed that against the
.total utilizable water resources of 1122 BCM, the projected demand during the year 2025
and 2050 comes to around 1093 and 1447 respectively. The scenario indicates water
deficiency in the overall national perspective. The deficiency may have to be managed by
using the return flows from various uses which may be around 80% from domestic uses
8
~------------------------------------------------------ -----

11. i.e. 58 and 81 BCM in the year 2025 and 2050 respectively. The return flow from
irrigation sector may be around 10% i.e. 91 and 107 BCM in the year 2025 and 2050
respectively. The return flow from industry sector is estimated to be 65%. Besides water
has to be made available .through inter-basin transfer of river waters by 2050. The
demand of industry and energy sector may be managed by reuse and recycling of return
flows and reuse ofwater from treated wastewater. Proper treatment of effluent to desired
standards will have to be ensured to use the return flow in irrigation, horticulture etc. The
water requirements of water deficit areas will be met by inter basin transfer of water from
surplus basins after developing the untapped water resources.
1.4.2 National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development
(NCIWRD)
The National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development
(NCIWRD) in its report (1999) has also assessed the water requirement for various
purposes for different years and the demand of water is given in the Table-2 below:
It would be observed that the assessment made by the National Commission for
irrigation is relatively on lower side as compared to that estimated by the Standing Sub­
Committee. In respect of other uses, the estimate made by the National Commission is
generally on a higher side. The main reason for such variation in the estimate is the
assumption made by the National Commission in respect of the overall improvement of
irrigation efficiency. The National Commission has assumed that the irrigation efficiency
will gradually increase to 60 % from the present level of 35 to 40%. Considerable effort
is required to achieve the objective · of efficiency in water resource system and
particularly in the irrigation system, which is the major water consumptive sector.
Table-2: Water Demand for Diverse Uses
Sl.
No.
Total Water Use (in BCM)
Uses Year
1997-98
Year 2010 Year 2025 Year 2050
Low High Low High Low High
1. Irrigation 524 543 557 561 611 628 807
2. Domestic 30 42 43 . 55 62 90 111
3. Industries 30 37 ·37 67 67 81 81
4. Power 9 18 19 31 33 63 70
5. Inland Navigation 0 7 7 10 10 15 15
6. Flood Control 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7. Environment(1)
Afforestation
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8. Env.(2)Ecology 0 5 6 10 10 ·. 20 . 20
9. Evaporation losses 36 42 42 50 50 76 76
Total 629 694 710 784 843 973 1180
9

12. ·It is of paramount importance that the aim should be at reducing water
requirement to the low demand scenario. Taking into account the water availability and
the requirement till the year 2050, the National Commission concluded that there is no
need to take an alarmist view. However, three major considerations have to be kept in
the forefront while formulating an integrated water policy and plan. First, the balance
between the requirement and availability can be struck only if utmost efficiency is
introduced in water use. Second, average availability at the national level does not imply
that all basins are capable of meeting their full requirement from internal resources.
Third, the issue of equity in the access to water, between regions and between sections of
population, assumes greater importance in what is foreseen as a fragile balance between
these and related problems of integrated water use planning in the context of supply and
requirement of water estimated by the Commission. ·
JO

13. CHAPTER II
ROLE OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT IN
ASCERTAINING SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROWTH
Right from independence, India has been developing at· a very fast pace.
Consequently, it is hardly any surprise, that rapid urbanization through infrastructure
development has been the key feature of the last few decades. At the same time, the steep
rise in population has'resulted in a phenomenal increase in the demand for food and water
supply. Till now, one of the potent solutions to these multi-faceted challenges has been
creation of large storages to wither out the spatial cindtemporal variations. The sector
wise development, which has changed the socio economic status of the country, is
analysed below.
2.1 Agricultural Production
The direct relationship between food production and assured irrigation is so
pronounced that it hardly requires any further explanation. During independence the food
production of the country was only a meager 50 million tones while the irrigation
potential created was 22 m~llion ha. By the tum of the century, while the irrigation
potential created has shot upto 102.77 Mha., thefood production has crossed 200 million
tones. If we concentrate over the states which have out performed in the food production
like Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra, West
Bengal, it is apparent that the large and medium water resources storage projects have
played the key role. Such remarkable achievement have been possible due to the fact that
large areas of these States are being covered under assured irrigation.
2.2 , Domestic and Industrial Water Supply
The National Water Policy adopted by the Government of India in 2002 accords
highest priority to drinking water supply. The Vision document for Integrated 'Water
Resources Development formulated by th~ Ministry of Water Resources in 2002 states
that 92% of the urban popUlation and 97% of the rural population are having access to
safe drinking water. This achievement has been largely possible due to the significant
contributions made by the large projects, a few examples ofwhich are listed below:
.:. Delhi, the capital of India, which is situated on the banks of the Yamuna, gets
only a fraction of its needs from river Yamuna, though situated on its banks. The
balance needs are met with releases from, Bhakra and Ramganga pams. The
populati'on of the city has grown from, 1.4 million in 1951 to close to 14 million
by 2001. Though in 1950s the entire water need of the city was possible to be met
with from Jamuna (essentially the flows that were regenerated) this was soon not
possible. Ramganga and Bhakra waters had to be supplemented for meeting the
11 , / '.

14. requirements. Infact the releases from the Tehri Dam for the Sonia Vihar Water
Treatment plant seems to be the only silver lining for the city plagued by water
crisis particularly during the summer months. Besides this, allocation for drinking
water supply t6 Delhi has also been provided in upcoming Renuka and Kishau
dam Projects in Yamuna Basin for meeting the future needs.
•:. The entire water supply of Mumbai is dependant
Vaitrana, Upper Vaitama, Tansa and Bhatsa.
on a senes of dams like
•:. The acute scarcity of water supply in Chennai is well known. The states of
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kamataka agreed to provide a part of their
allocated share of Krishna water (to the extent of 15 TMC) for drinking water
requirements of Chennai city.
•:. Water supply of Pune town in Maharashtra is
Sagar), Khadakwasla dam and Temghar dam.
met with from Panchet(Tangi
•:. Hyderabad is mainly dependent on
Himayatsagar, Manjra and Singur Dams.
its water supply from Osmansagar,
•:. The water supply for Bangalore city heavily depends on Cauvery Stage-I, Stage-II
and Stage-III projects.
•:. A sizeable number of cities having population more than one million as per the
2001 census are having their water demand met from several projects. The
prominent cities among them being, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Nashik
and Surat.
.:. In addition to above a major dam at Bisalpur had been constructed in Chambal
Basin to provide water supply to Ajmer City besides towns of Beawar and Tonk
in Rajasthan. Warrangal town in Andhra Pradesh depends for water supply on
Sriramsagar Dam. Shillong water supply is to be ensured with a dam under
construction in the North-East.
.:. The position of drinking water supply in various towns and villages has improved
after the coming up of Bhakra and Beas Projects. Cities of Delhi, Chandigarh and
town of Patiala and Ropar apart from numerous towns and villages in the states of
Haryana and Rajasthan are getting their supply of drinking water from the canals
fed by these projects.
Drinking water supply for most of the cities and towns in the country are
dependant on storages and diversions for the purpose, proving the important fact that
stored water distributed temporally as well as spatially serves the basic needs in a
sustained manner for a sizeable population.
12

15. Industrial water requirement, though considerably low in comparison to
agriculture and domestic water demand, has its own share of importance. Most of the
industries require assured water supply for their effective performance. It is therefore
quite natural that the pr~sence of a large project capable of delivering assured water
supply invariably boosts up the industrial development of the area. Numerous examples
may be cited to back the above contention, however, the more important ones are given
below:
.:. For catering the needs of Bokaro Steel Plant, a dam at Tenughat in the Damodar
River Basin had to be constructed.
•:. Similarly, a cluster of thermal and super-thermal stations in u.P. is entirely
dependent on the water stored at Rihand Dam on a tributary of the Sone River in
u.P.
•:. For the Vishkhapatnam Steel Plant, the water IS to be supplied from Yeleru
Reservoir.
•:. As abundant and assured cooling water is available from Ukai reservoir a large
thermal power station, having installed capacity of 850 MW is also set up and
commissioned at Ukai since 1975. Other huge industries like Essar Gujarat,
Reliance Petrochemicals, KRlBHCO, ONGC, NTPC etc. are direct beneficiaries
from Ukai-Kakrapar project as regards industrial water supply.
•:. For the requirements of Udaipur and Chittor plants of Hindustan Zinc Limited
(HZL), Gosunda Dam was necessary. This meets not only the needs of HZL but
also the water-supply needs of Udaipur.
.:. Major industries getting water from, Bhakra Canals are National Fertilizers Ltd.
Nangal, Ropar Thermal Plant and C-Thermal, Delhi besides numerous other small
industrial units.
2.3 Hydropower generation
The hydropower generated from the large projects like Bhakra-Nangal, Hirakud,
Iddukki, Ukai, Srisailam, Gandhisagar, Rana Pratapsagar, Jawaharsagar projects have not
only provided ·cheap energy but also has immensely helped in meeting the peaking
demands. Thus there is not even an iota of doubt about the role played by these projects
in improving the economy of their command area. Infact, hydropower being durable,
non-polluting and extremely cheap, its viability as an effective mode of producing energy
increases even further.
It is often been contended by the social activists that the improvement in irrigation
facilities and the resultant boom in food production is largely due to the minor irrigation .
and ground water irrigation schemes. There is no point in denying the fact that the
harnessing of minor irrigation as well as ground water irrigation facilities is equally
13

16. important in promoting food production, but more often that not we ignore the power
requirement for operating the pumps for lifting ground water. In fact, in the recent times
one of the most debated issues have been providing free power to the farmers proving the
importance of availability of cheap power to the agricultural community.
2.4 Flood Control and Drought Mitigation
It won't be an overstatement to acknowledge the benefit offered by those large
projects by providing the required cushion against the raging floods. An estimation of the
past 100 years will invariably indicate the astronomical damages that were inflicted on
our country by the floods. Even, in the 21st cenfliry, after so much advancement, we are
often rendered helpless to the fury of floods, particularly in the North-East where the
protection upto the desired level is yet to be materialized. Even then, all the projects
mentioned above like the Hirakud, Bhakra-Nangal, Ukai-Kakrapar, Nagarjunasagar had
given immense relief to the people of their command area by not only restricting the
financial losses but at times even saving the loss of lives.
The greatest inexplicable paradox of this country's water resources scenario has
been the co-existence of droughts and floods and the beauty of the large projects is that
they have the capability to handle both the situations simultaneously and thus ironing out
the erratic climatic behavior to a large extent. The excess monsoon received in a
particular year is being used by these projects to wonderful effect in another year facing
paucity of rainfall.
14

17. CHAPTER III
Bharat Nirman Plan (2005-2009)
Government of India in partnership with State Governments and Panchayat Raj
Institutions has launched Bharat Nirman programme as a time-bound business plan for
action in rural infrastructure for the span of four years (2005-2009). Under Bharat
Nirman Plan, action is proposed in the areas of irrigation, road, rural housing, rural water
supply, rural electrification and rural telecommunication connectivity. Specific targets are
set to be achieved under each of these goals so that there is accountability in the progress
of this initiative. The goals in different sectors are as under.
3.1 IClectricity:
Goal: Every village to be provided electricity: remaining 1,25,000 villages to be covered
by 2009
The Ministry of Power has the responsibility of providing electricity to the remaining
1,25,000 villages through the programme instrument of Rajiv Gandhi Gramin
Vidyutikaran Yojana. In addition it will also provide 23 million households with
electricity. As per the Census of 2001, 1,25,000 villages remained uncovered. To be able
to achieve this objective, Rural Electricity Distribution Backbone with at least a 33111
KV sub-station would be set up in each block, at least one Distribution TransfOlmer in
each habitation of every village or hamlet as Village Electrification Infrastructure, Stand­
alone grid with generation where grid supply is not feasible. These Stand-alone grids
would be set up in partnership with the Ministry ofNon-Conventional Energy also.
,Rural Electrification Corporation would be ' the agency for implementation. The
Mc,magement of Rural Distribution will be fioanchisees that could be Users Associations,
individual entrepreneurs, Cooperatives, Non-Governmental Organizations, Panchayat
Institutions. Services of Central Services undertakings like National Them1al Power
Corporation Limited (NTPC), Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POClL),
National Hydro Electric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) and Damodar Valley
Corporation (DVC) will be made available for the execution of rural electrification
projects. These CPSUs have been allocated districts in each state wherein they will
implement the rural electrification network.
90% capital subsidy will be provided for overall cost of the projects under the scheme.
The capital subsidy for eligible projects under the scheme will be through the Rural
Electrification Corporation Limited, which will be the nodal agency. Electrification of
unelectrified below-poverty-line households will be financed with 100% capital subsidy
at Rs.1500 per connection in all rural habitations. Others will be paying for the
connections at prescribed connection charges and no subsidy will be made available.For
creation of village eIectrification infrastructure, first priority will be given to un­
15

18. electrified villages. Preference for electrification will be given to Dalit Bastis, Tribal
settlements and habitations ofweaker sections.
3.2 Roads:
Goal: Every habitation over 1000 population andabove (500 in hilly and tribal areas) to
be provided an all-weather road: remaining 66,802 habitations to be covered by
2009
The Ministry of Rural Development has the responsibility of ensuring that every
habitation over 1000 population and every habitation with more than 500 in hilly and
tribal areas is connected with an all-weather road by 2009. This is expected to generate
multiplier effects in the rural economy of linking production to markets and services.
This work which is being undertaken under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
since 2000, has been modified to address the above goals within the stipulated time­
frame.To achieve the targets of Bharat Nirman, 1,46,185 Kms road length is proposed to
be constructed by 2009. This will benefit 66,802 unconnected eligible habitations in the
country. To ensure full farm-to-market connectivity, it is also proposed to upgrade
1,94,132 kms. of the existing Associated Through Routes.
A district and rural roads plan has been prepared listing out complete network of all roads
in the district that has village roads, major district roads, state roads and national
highways. The concept of core network has been operationalised to focus on those set of
roads, which are considered essential to provid~ connectivity to all habitations of the
desired size. The Core Network is the basic in$trumentality for prioritization of
construction and allocation of funds for maintenance. Action has been initiated to
develop GIS-based applications to further enhance the utility ofthe Core Network.
The programme is implemented through a framework of consultation with public
representatives ranging from the panchayat level up to Parlian1ent A Rural Roads
Manual guides the implementation of the programme. A separate Book of Specification
and a Standard Data Book have been prepared. As per this, standard bidding documents
are to be adopted by the states. For MIS there is a computerized Online Management and
Monitoring Accounting System.
Approximately Rs.48,000 crores is proposed to be invested to achieve this o,bjective.
100% of the funds of this programme is being provided by the Central Government.
3.3 Drinking Water
Goal: Every habitation to have a safe source of drinking water: 55,067 uncovered
habitations to be covered by 2009. In addition, all habitations which have slipped
back from full coverage to partial coverage due to failure of source and
habitations which have water quality problems to be addressed.
16

19. The Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Drinking Water Supply is
responsible for meeting this goal in partnership with State Governments. The programme
instrument of the Govemment of India is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Accelerated
Rural Water Supply Programme under implementation since 1972-73 which is funded on
a 50% matching share basis between the Government of India and the State Government.
Since 1972, over 37 lakh hand pumps and l.5 lakh pipe water supply systems have been
set up to provide safe water to over 15 lakh habitations in the country at a cost of over Rs
50,000 crore. The norms which are fixed to achieve the goal are
- 40 litres per capita per day (lpcd) of safe drinking water for human beings
- 30 Ipcd additional for cattle in the Desert Development Programme Areas
- One hand pump or stand post for every 250 persons
- The water source should exist within 1.6 km in the plains and within 100 metres
elevation in the hilly areas
The backlog for coverage is under estimation based on a habitation survey for the
categories of uncovered villages, slipped- back villages and villages affected with a
problem of water quality. 55,067 villages remain uncovered and are targeted for coverage
as first priority. The category of slipped-back villages estimated by the Planning
Commission at the beginning of the Tenth Plan as 2.8 lakh habitations. These are so on
account of a number of factors like
- Sources going dry or lowering of the ground water table
- Sources becoming quality affected
- Systems outliving their lives
- Systems working below rated capacity due to poor operation and maintenance
- Increase in population resulting in lower per capita availability
- Emergence of new habitations
According to the data received from State Governments based on a survey undertaken in
2000,2,16,968 habitations are affected due to a variety of water quality problems consists
of excess fluoride: 31,306, excess arsenic: 5029, excess salinity:23,495, excess
iron:1,18,088, excess nitrate: 13,958 and multiple quality problems: 25,092.
The Govemment of India has decided that under Bharat Nirman names of habitations
would have to be provided by State Governments for availing funds from Government of
India. This would give maximum transparency to the programme. State Governments
would be required to place the habitations proposed for coverage and covered on this site
in course of time.
The scheme is funded on a 50% basis by the Gol and expenditure ofRsA050 crores is
expected for the current year. The actual requirement will be worked out based on the
names of habitations supplied by the states and funded.
3.4 Telephone
Goal: Every village to be connected by telephone: remaining 66,822 villagesto be
covered by November 2007
17

20. The Department of Telecom in the Ministry of Communications and Infonnation
Technology has the responsibility of providing telephone cOlmectivity to the 66,822
villages that remain to be covered.
The resources for implementation of universal services obligation are raised through a
Universal Service Levy which has presently been fixed at 5% of the adjusted gross
revenue of all telecom service providers except the pure value added service providers
like internet, voice mail, e-mail service providers. The rules also make a provision for the
Central Government to give grants and loans to the Fund. The balance to the credit of the
Fund does not lapse at the end of the financial year.
usa Fund assigns the task of providing Village Public Telephones (VPTs) on the basis
of bids through open tender and in this case the work has been assigned to Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Out of the 66,822 villages identified, connectivity in 14,183 remote
and far-flung villages will be provided through digital satellite phone tenninals. From the
USOF, assistance is provided for both capital expenditure as well as operational
expenditure. It is estimated that a total sum of Rs.451 crore would be required to provide
VPTs in these 66,822 villages and the entire sum will be met out of USOF and no
separate allocation from Government would be required.
As an additional incentives telecom service providers are being assisted through the
USOF to penetrate into the rural areas for the following activities:
- Maintenance of existing village public telephones (VPTs).
- Provision of an additional mral community phone in villages with a population of more
than two thousand and where no public call office exists.
- Replacement of village public telephones installed on Multi Access Radio Relay
(MARR) technology.
- Telephone lines installed in household in specified rural areas.
Rural teledensity will be significantly enhanced during the period of Bharat Nirman.
The Government is committed to expanding mral connectivity through a slew of
. measures so that rural users can access information of value and transact business. This
will include cOlmecting block headquarters with fibre optic network, using wireless
technology to achieve last mile connectivity and operating information kiosks through a
partnership of citizens, panchayats, civil society organizations, the private sector and
Government.
3.5 Irrigation
Goal: J0 million hectares (J 00 lakhs) of additional irrigation capacity to be created by
2009
The Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration with State Governments is responsible
for creation of additional 10 million hectares of irrigation capacity by the year 2009
through major, medium and minor irrigation projects complemented' by ground water
development.
18

21. The ultimate irrigation potential for the country has been estimated as 140 million hectare
(Mba), which include potential through Major and Medium irrigation projects (58.46
Mha), surface water based minor irrigation schemes (17.54 Mha) and ground water
development (64.00 Mha). So far, the irrigation potential of 102.77 Mha has already been
created. However, the created potential has not been fully utilized and the gap between
created and utilized potential has been estimated to be ofthe order of 17 Mha.
3.5.1 Major and Medium Irrigation (MMI) Projects
For the country as a whole, 66% of the ultimate irrigationpotential of major and medium
projects has been created. 477 Major and Medium irrigation projects have spilled over to
Xl. In addition, the States have proposed 223 Major and Medium projects and 86 ERM
projects during XI Plan. An outlay of Rs 30,670 crore has been provided for the new
projects in the XI Plan
So far, 173 major and medium, 4169 minor and 21 Extension, Renovation and
Modernization (ERM) projects have been provided Central Loan Assistance under
Accelerated Irrigation benefit Programme (AIBP). The potential creation through projects
supported under AIBP has been found to be 0.35 Mha per year with about 0.47 Mha per
year in the last two years. As per existing Plan, the projected creation of irrigation
potential through AIBP is 0.50 Mba per year in the remaining period of X Five Year
Plan.
The average rate of creation of irrigation potential through Major and Medium projects
from 1951 to 1997 has been found to be of the order of 0.51 Mha per year. During the
year 1997 to 2005, the rate for creati n has been found to be 0.92 Mah per year. The pace
of creation of new irrigation potential through Major and Medium projects has increased
in the recent past. This is due to fruition of projects started much earlier, which have been
expedited due to increased support through AIBP.
The projects for extension, renovation and modernization (ERM) of major and medium
irrigation schemes are also being implemented with arrangement similar to that for
completion of ongoing major and medium schemes. The implementation of ERM
projects along with Command Area Development and Water Management (CAD and
WM) help in sustaining the created facilities and in improving the utilization.
3.5.2 Minor Irrigatioll Schemes
There is considerable variation in creation of ilTIgation potential through minor irrigation
(both surface and ground water) schemes from State to State. While full potential through
minor irrigation has been tapped in some of the States, it is relatively very low in others.
19

22. Minor irrigation through surface water covers water sources (tanks and small reservoirs)
with a culturable command area (CCA) of less than 2000 ha. About 70% of the ultimate
potential through surface water based minor irrigation schemes has since been created.
The Report of the National Commission for Integrated Water Resources Development
points out that the carrying capacity of tanks has decreased over time for a variety of
reasons and that the restoration and renovation of tanks and other local sources is a
priority task.
Since 2004-05, a pilot scheme for "repair, renovation and restoration of water bodies
directly linked to agriculture" has been taken up by the Government as a state-sector
scheme in the 16 districts of the country which is proposed to be expanded.
3.5.3 Ground Water Development
From the surveys conducted for estimation of availability and status of ground water, the
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has identified areas that are over-exploited (where
exploitation is more than natural recharge of ground water) and areas that are "critical or
dark" (where draft is between 70% to 100% of the natural recharge ofground water). The
recent survey indicates that out of 7414 identified units (blocks/talukas/watershed), 471
are "Overexploited" and 318 are "Critical or Dark" units. Thus less than 11 % of the total
units fall under the category of "over-exploited" and "critical". The ultimate irrigation
potential to be created is based on the assessed replenishable groundwater after duly
accounting for the domestic and industrial uses (about 10%). It has been assessed that
ground water is still available for utilization in many parts of the country, particularly in
the eastern parts of the country, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and in specific pockets
of Andhra Pradesh, Kamataka, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir. In Punjab, Haryana,
Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the rechargeable quantum of ground water has been
exceeded and mining of static reserves has commenced. This reinforces the need to take
urgent steps to increase recharge and conservation.
3.5.4 Targets under Bharat Nirman
Sl. No. Component Target
I Completion of ongoing Major & medium Irrigation
Projects
4.2Mha
II Minor irrigation schemes
• Surface water 1.0 Mha
• Ground Water 1.8 Mha
1.0Mha
l.8Mha
2.8Mha
III Enhancing utilization of completed projects
• ERM of major & medium projects
• Repair, renovation and restoration of water
bodies/ERM ofminor irrigation schemes.
l.OMha
1.0Mha
2.0Mha
IV Ground water development in area with unutilized
ground water potential (for benefit of small and
marginal farmers and Tribals & Dalits)* -
l.OMba
20

23. * Creation of potential of 1 Mha through ground water development in areas with
unutilized ground water potential would primarily benefit small and marginal farmers
who are mostly tribals, dalits and weaker sections of society. The scheme envisages full
involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions in implementation of the schemes.
3.6 Housing
Goal: 60 lakh houses to be constructed for the rural poor by 2009
The Ministry of Rural Development through the IndiraAwaas Yojana undertakes this
activity as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme where the cost is shared between the Centre
and States on 75:25 basis. . .
The 2001 Census places the rural housing shortage figure ~n India at around 1491akhs.
Construction of 60 lakh houses over the next four years across the country is envisaged,
starting from 2005-06 to address a significant portion of this backlog.
The criteria adopted for allocation of financial resources between the States/UTs give
greater emphasis to the states with higher incidence or shelterlessness. 75% weightage is
given to housing shortage and 25% to the poverty ratios prescribed by the Planning
Commission for State-level allocations. For district-level allocations, 75% weightage is
given again to housing shortage 'and 25% to SC/ST population of the districts concerned.
Grant assistance is provided to the extent of Rs. 25,000 per house for normal ·areas and '
Rs. 27,500 for hilly areas. Funds are released to the DRDAs in two installments.
. .
Implementation guidelines of the scheme specifically target the rural below poverty line
(BPL) households. The respective Gram Sabha does the selection of beneficiaries from
the BPL list and no higher approval is required. The guidelines also clearlY 'Specify that
the house allotment should be in the name of the female member of the family as a first
priority. While seeking to empower the rural women, the scheme also provides priority to
physically and mentally challenged persons, exservicemen, widows and freed bonded
labourers. It is' stipulated that at least 60% of the beneficiaries should belong to the
SC/ST communities. TheIAY scheme also lays emphasis on sanitation and health by
incorporating the cost of a sanitary latrine and smokeless chulah into the per unit grant
provided to the beneficiary for constructionlupgradation of the dwelling unit.
21

24. CHAPTER IV
WATER SECTOR ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
IN BHARAT NIRMAN PLAN
Water resource is a vital input in the development endeavours of the country. Its finite
availability and ever increasing demand in every sector have aggravated the problem
manifold in case of India. The requirement of faster development in irrigation, water
supply, industrial use, flood protection is evident assuming the future scenario. Bharat
Nirman Plan has rightly stressed on the irrigation and water supply where as the other
sectors requirement is to be redressed with equal priority for the sustainable development
of India.
The water sector is grappled with the following Issues;
Irrigation development
Command area development & Catchment area treatment
Creation of storages
Conunctive use ofsurface and ground water
Efficiency improvement in distribution system
Bridging the gap between irrigation potential created and potential utilised
Flood Management
4.1 Irrigation Development
In India, with the constitution of the Planning commission in 1950 and the advent of
planning process, in the first five year plan (1951-56) the country launched a major
irrigation programme. A number of multipurpose and major projects such as Bhakra
Nangal, Nagarjunasagar, Kosi, Chambal, Hirakund, Kakrapar and Tungbhadra were
taken up. Simultaneously, minor irrigation schemes including ground water were given
emphasis under the Agricultural Sector, along with financial assistance from the Centre.
During the period of Second Five Year Plan (1956-61), Third Five Year Plan (1961-66)
and the Three Annual Plans (1966-69), irrigation programmes continued with addition of
new projects. During the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-74), the emphasis was shifted to
the completion of ongoing projects, integrated use of surface and ground water, adoption
of efficient management techniques and modernization of existing schemes. However,
new projects continued to be added.
During the fifth Plan (1974-79) command Area Development Programme Was launched
as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the objective of reducing the lag between potential
created and optimum utilization of available land and water, Initially, 60 major and
medium projects were covered with a CCA of 15 Mha.
22

25. During the Annual Plans of 1978-80 and the Sixth Five Year Plan ( 1980-85), new starts
continued and at the end of Seventh Plan, there were as many as 182 major and 312
medium ongoing proj ects requiring an estimated amount of Rs. 39044 crore at the 1990­
91 price level for their completion. New starts were, therefore restricted considerably
and greater emphasis was laid on completion of projects, which were in the advanced
stages of completion (those with an expenditure of 75 per cent or more). This was
continued during 1990-91 and 1991-92 Annual Plans, VIII Plan (1992-97) and IX Plan
(1997-2000).
For speedy completion of ongoing projects in advance stage of construction Accelerated
Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) was launched in 1996-97. During VIII Plan period
irrigation potential of 2.2 Mha was created under major and medium sector at an annual
rate of 0.44 Mha per annum. During IX plan period this increased to 4.12 Mha out of
which 1.65 Mha (nearly 40%) was through AIBP. Renovation, Modernisation and
Rehabilitation of old irrigation schemes gained momentum. User's participation in major
and medium irrigation schemes received greater attention. Repairs and improvemen to
the minor irrigation projects, as a part of integrated micro-development, also received
encouragement. Similarly sprinkler and drip irrigation programmes and the conjunctive
use of surface and ground water gained momentum., The project completed, along with
minor irrigation and ground water development, have created an estimated potential of
about 102.77 Mha by the end of the X Plan.
Although plan expenditure on irrigation has increased from Rs.44l .8 crore in the 1st Plan
to Rs. 95743.42 crore (outlay) in the X plan, the share in total plan expenditure has
decreased from 23% in the 1st Plan to 6.3% in the X Plan. '
The created irrigation potential increased from 22.6 Mha (9.7 Mha through major &
medium and 12.9 Mha through minor irrigation) in preplan period to 102Mha (42.35
Mha through major and medium and 60.42 1'Tha through minor including ground water
schemes) upto the end of X Plan with an annual average growth of 1.4 Mha. In the
corresponding period the potential utilistion has been from 22.6 Mha period to 81.00
Mha.
4.1.1 Central Assistance under AIBP.
During IX Plan period irrigation potential of 1.65 Mha was created through AIBP at an
average rate of 0.33 Mha per annum. During the first three years of X plan the potential
creation in major and medium irrigation sector through AIBP is around 1.4 Mha @ 0.47
Mha per annum. In spite of rationalizing completion schedule of projects under AIBP,
several projects are lying behind schedule. It is desirable to work out realistic time frame
and cost to completion for projects to be considered under AIBP. It is pertinent to
mention that the spirit of the programme i.e; completion of last mile projects should not
get diluted in the enthusiasm of inclusion of large number of projects under this .
programme. As reported by the state governments, but of total 200 projects presently
under AIBP, 95 projects would be completed by the end ofX plan.
23

26. The Central Assistance under AIBP as loan and grant provided up to March 2006 is Rs.
19437.90 crore out of which Rs. 18830.10 crore has been provided in Major and Medium
irrigation sector
Impact ofAIBP
Plan Potential Created (Mha) Contribution of AIBP(Mha)
IX 4.10 1.65 ( 40.2%)
X 5.30 3.00 ( 56.6%)
Keeping an eye over the future requirement the Working Group on Water Resources for
the XI Five Year Plan has brought out several suggestions in order to expedite
completion of the projects which is very very essential. Some other issues relating
irrigation sector were also addressed in addition to this The strategies adopted for XI Plan
proposal are swnmarized as below:
1. Ongoing projects which have already achieved 90% or more of the ultimate
potential should be considered as completed~ Critically review all such projects
which are having only marginal benefit left or are near impossible to complete
because of various problems, and declare them completed or curtailed or deleted.
The balance cost of the remaining projects should be updated realistically for
consideration under XI plan.
2. Inter-Se priority should be decided considering various aspects such as externally
aided projects, interstate projects, projects benefiting drought prone or tribal
areas, etc. as per the guidelines prepared by National Commission for integrated
Water Resources Development Plan.
3. High priority should be accorded to the Pre-seventh and Seventh Plan Projects for
funding under AIBP with emphasis to complete these projects during XI Plan.
List of such projects is appended as Annex.3.1. Fund allocation under AIBP
should be enhanced for this purpose, ifnecessary.
4. Foremost priority should be given for completion of ongoing projects and new
projects should be taken up very selectively keeping in view the necessity for
removal of regional imbalances and development of drought prone and tribal
areas.
5. Since the fund requirement for medium/minor irrigation projects are less,
adequate fund may be made available for completion of these projects, without
jeopardizing programme for important major projects. ERM Projects should be
given due priority where the eroded potential can be restored with ~oderate
expenditure.
24 .

27. 6. A separate budget head upto 15% of Plan fund may be provided as Irrigation
Maintenance Fund (IMF) and full amount of irrigation revenue as collectged
should be credited to IMF.
7. In addition to liabilities of completed projects and provision for ongoing and new
projects, the State plan proposals should incorporate provisions for special repairs
of existing irrigation systems, dam safety measures, improved water management
and water development aspect encompassing survey and investigation, research
and development, training and National Hydrology Project.
8. Substantial higher outlay should be provided in Central Plan to bring out effective
role in plan activities of the Central Institutions by way of suitably strengthening
them and provide adequate funds for taking new initiatives under Central Plan.
9. The existing regional/state level institutions such as WALMIs should be
strengthened and brought into mainstream activities for irrigation management
improvement.
10. Dam safety measures should be taken up all over country which is very essential
in the context ofdisaster Prevention and Management.
11. The performance evaluation of completed projects needs to be continued for
benchmarking and improvement in irrigation efficiency.
In addition to above, recommendations on Minor Irrigation Sector are gIven as
follows:
1. Renovation! Restoration of old tanks as well as old diversion channels in hilly
regions along with improving efficiency of the projects. Besides surface lift
schemes may also be given due consideration, particularly, in hilly regions for
irrigating high terraces.
2. Expansion of irrigation facilities through a time bound programme for exploiting
the huge ground water potential in the Eastern Region.
3. Promotion of Micro Irrigation system in Water deficit areas.
4. Promotion of Ground Water Development in areas haaving untapped! unutilized
potential.
5. National rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) may be linked with minor
irrigation! Ground Water Development. .
6. A comprehensive act for regulation and development of ground water on
sustainable basis both in public and private sector.
4.2 Command Area Development
In respect of command area development works for performance improvement-of the
projects, the working group has recommended the following recommendations for
consideration.
25

28. (a) Central funding for CAD works may be enhanced from present level of 50:50 to
75:25 for all the States, while for states of North eastern Region and Hilly/
Special Category States the funding may be 90% from Government of India. For
software activities like trainings, adaptive trials, demonstrations, monitoring and
evaluation, etc. 100% Central funding may be considered in place of the existing .
pattern of 75 :25 between the Centre and the States. Funds can be directly given to
WALMIs and other State/ Central agencies for carrying out such activities.
(b) It is proposed to increase the functional grant from Rs. 600 per ha to Rs. 1000 per
ha which is to be shared in the ratio ofRs. 675:225:100 between the centre, State
and the farmers, while keeping all cost norms unchanged. The State Governments
may also be allowed to raise fund for its share through institutional funding or
public borrowings through bonds on the pattern of Krishna Bhagya Nigam of
Karnataka Government.
(c) As per the existing system of release of Central Assistance, the funds are
transferred to the pool of State Finance Department, which in tum releases funds
to the implementing departments. This procedure is not amenable for timely
availability of the funds to the CADAs. Therefore direct funding to CADAs from
the Ministry in a mission mode can be considered to alleviate this problem. For
instance the Ministry of rural Development has a system of direct release of
Central share of funds to the District Rural Development Authorities (DRDA)
Jilla Parishads for implementing the schemes of the Central Ministry.
(d) To ensure optimum utilization of created irrigation potential, the CADWM should
be made a part of the new major and medium projects.
(e) Formation of WUAs under PTh1 Act is mandatory for implementation of
CADWM programme. Transition time of 2 years (upto the end of financial year
2008-09) may be allowed to those States which have not enact~d their PIM Acts
so far. Further relaxation may be only be allowed with the approval of CCEA.
(f) WUAs . should be involved in planning, budgeting, implementation and
management of irrigation systems to be transferred to them. There is a need to
enforce a regime whereby farmers pay the water rates to meet the O&M
expenditure rates. Conditions of reforms should be imposed before handing over
the projects to WUAs.
(g) Volumetric supply of irrigation water to WUAs should be introduced.
(h) Reputed NGOs with requisite skills may be involved for promotion of WUAs,
Rehabilitation of Canal Systems and Water Management for at least 2-3 years.
The estimated expenditure of Rs. 600-800 per ha on account of this may be
provided by the central government in the form of grant.
(i) Autonomy of WUAs should be maintained in regard to Water Management.
However, there may be linkages with Panchayati Raj Institutions through cross
representation. It may be considered to provide support to WALMIs, Agriculture
Universities and reputed NGOs for improved water management at micro level.
It may also be considered to provide incentives for activities ofWUAs.
26

29. (j) The WUAs should include women members from the land owning! holding house
holds in the Command Area, irrespective of their ownership of the land.
(k) Periodic evaluation of CAD Projects should be undertaken and suitable corrective
measures may be taken if necessary.
(1) Components for reclamation of waterlogged areas, as well as, correction of
conveyance deficiencies with enhanced scope may be implemented to cover all
the projects in the country, details of which could be approved in consultation .
with expert organizations such as CWC, CSSRI, CGWB, etc.
(m) Water' Resources/ Irrigation Departments need to undertake assessment
periodically (at least once in 5 years) to determine the training needs at different
levels of personnel deployed in water resources development and management.
Facilities available for capacity building are to be considered instead of
establishing new training centres. There has to be networking of existing training
facilities so that training will be effective and economical. It is desirable to have a
separate scheme for training and capacity building for State Governments as well
as central Government.
4.3 Creation of Storage
Creation of storages is of prime importance in order to avoid severe domestic crisis on
water issues. As per the estimates given in the working group report there is a need of
approximately live storage of around 450 km3
.
Major & Medium Projects (Existing) -213 K.J.13
.Major & Medium Projects (Under construction) -76 KM3
Minor Storages (Existing & Under construction) -70 KM3
Total Live Storages in projects, existing and under construction - 359 Km3
Likely loss in Live storage due to sedimentation, upto 2050 which has to be compensated
for -53 Km3
(say)
Balance available live storage from the above in 2050 - 306 Km3
say 300 Km3
.
Therefore further new live storage to be created to have a live storage of 450 Km3
by
2050 is 150Km3
.
For creation the needed storage in addition to the present way of envisaging attention has
to be paid to changing popUlation dynamics, changing pattern of human settlements,
climatic change causing change in pattern of spatial and temporal variation in rainfall,
deterioration inwater quality etc.
4.4 Conjunctive Use of surface and ground water:
Conjunctive use of surface and ground water can address the situation in two ways by
decreasing the dependence on a single source and the quality of the available water.This
will reduce the chance of desalination as well. Working group has suggested for the
conjunctive use of ·good quality water and saline seawater, which will be helpful in .
reducing the cost of water requirement for irrigation.
27

30. 4.5 Efficiency improvement in the distribution system as well as in field
Deficiencies of the irrigated agriculture in India have been a cause of concern and a huge
amount of thinking and analysis ha been done to devise ways and means to improve it.
The Working Group has recommended some important recommendations in this matter;
1. Standardized definitions of irrigation efficiencies need to be evolved for use in
India, after reviewing available material. All water resources of a basin form a
unified resource and hence the basin efficiency concept which integrates all
surface water and ground water uses, as well as reuse and recirculation is
important. The basin efficiency also needs to be estimated along with project
related efficiencies.
2. Conjunctive use of water to be given higher priority particularly in alluvial areas,
as a very effective means of improving water use & basin efficiency, and of
saving possible water logging and salination. For givin;:,. an encouragement to
conjunctive use, irrigation Act may be amended, if req ired. The policy of
favoring selective lining of canals should be continued. LD''''' ater allowances
and somewhat inadequate conveyance capacities lead to be r efficiencies and
less water logging,related problems. These need to be encouraged.
3. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Water Csers' Associations (WUAs)
should include a standard clause which binds the users to effective conjunctive
use of surface and ground water. On rising of gro nd water table, the MOW
should allow the department to cut the surface water supply.
4. Where there are minor irrigation tanks, minor urface lifts etc. ·in the command,
these should be integrated with major project works and not be treated as separate
entity. Such tanks should be filled with cfu"lals water as per requirement. Also,
such works will allow reuse of the seeped wateT.
5. Each major irrigation system authorities should annually prepare the water
budget, accruing for all water stored or diverted, all losses, all reuse of lost waters,
estimated evaporation etc.
6. Sufficient funds for operation and maintenance work to be provided. Creation of
Irrigation Maintenance Corporation as provided in the irrigation management
policy is considered, so that a linkage between revenues from water and O&M
funds is established. Water rates may accordingly be increased in a pha,sed
manner.
7. Priority may be assigned toERM schemes for projects where water distribution
systems are to be handed over to WUAs. Where total ERM scheme is not
contemplated, one time maintenance/ deferred maintenance of a project may be
allowed'as a plan scheme. Operation & Maintenance of a project may be allowed
28

31. as a plan scheme. Operation & Maintenance budget to be decided in consultation
with the farmers and walk through survey to assess what is appropriate and
achievable within the available fund.
8. All the schemes more than 25 years old should be studied in details to bring out
the status of schemes in respect of structural safety and performance and ERM
schemes may be formulated and taken up based on such studies.
9. Drip/ sprinklers are mostly for horticulture! vegetable crops (and surgarcane) in
the present major and medium surface irrigation system. These may be
encouraged for other crops also. Any compulsion for a particular cropping
pattern needs to be removed, whenever WUAs are formed & volumetric water
rates come into practice. Use of sprinkler or drips or rotational surface supplies
requires additional on farm storage (either as dug out ponds or elevatged storage
with pump). This becomes essential since supply rotates are 10 daily or
fortnightly whereas drips & sprinkler require daily or 1 in 2 day's operation.
Such storage creation needs to be within the ambit of subsidies for drips and
sprinklers.
10. As automation is a costly affair, it is to be adopted for pilot schemes and not for
larger area. However, preferably this should be introduced for conjunctive use of
ground water and not always for surface water.
The group has also recommended the concept of Target Efficiency of the water delivery
system, timely and equitable distribution ohvater, increasing production per unit area and
per unit volume of water used and financial sustainability of the water delivery
infrastructure.
4.6 Bridging the gap between the Potential created and potential utilised
There may be various reasons for increase in the gap between potential creation and
potential utilized. Some ofthese are :
a. likely over estimation and double counting of potential creation and inaccuracies/
.discrepancies in reporting ofpotential utilized.
b. Loss of potential due to siltation in reservoirs, ponds, etc. and deterioration of
water distribution system.
c. Time gap between potential creation and command area development.
d. Assumption of optimistic cropping pattern in economic analysis and deviation in
cropping pattern as compared to that envisaged during planning.
e. Over-drawl of water in head reaches depriving potential utilization by tail enders.
f. Unused canal flow during night hours.
29

32. ,
l
It is desirable to introduce more reliable and accurate system of assessment for potential
created and utilized. There should be a coordinating statistical organization in each State
for reporting the figures of potential created and utilized. The Remote Sensing
Technique can also be effectively utilized for counter verification of figures reported.
The loss in potential due to siltation, ageing of various distribution systems, etc. needs to
be periodically assessed and accounted.
The productivity of irrigated crop as assumed in economic analysis often seem to be
optimistic and are not based on experience of nearby irrigation projects. Use of water for
irrigation and selection of crops have been left to the discretion of users/ farmers. The
adverse consequences of such freedom have been manifested as water logging in some
commands. . Somewhere, overexploitation of ground -vater has been leading to
progressive fall in ground water level. It is therefore, necessary that a regulatory
mechanism is brought into practice by which undesirable or unsuitable crops are
discouraged and tendency to over use of irrigation water is c~ecked. Similarly in areas
where ground water is being used for irrigation a regulatory mechanism should be in
place to deter over exploitation of ground water beyond allOvable limit.
Sometimes apprehension of scarcity of water and non availability of water when needed
also lead to over withdrawal by head end users. Since extra tion of ground water is
costly, farmers tend to take water more than their requirements when that is available
through canals. Higher cost of ground water is primarily because of cost of power
required for lifting of water. In case source of solar power is created for lifting of water,
the cost of ground water will get substantially reduced. This may facilitate and give
farmers option to use surface water and ground water "thom any extra cost. Once this
option is available and known to farmers that they are aware that use of more water than
the optimal requirement is likely to reduce the yield, certainly there would be reductionin
/
overdraw of water by head enders. Thus there is a need to extend u:~"er friendly system
and increase awareness and cooperation among farmers through Participatory Irrigation
Management. Water Users Associatiortsneed to be empowered to look into these
aspects. Further, the piped distribution system and micro irrigation should be adopted as
far as possible.
In India night imgation is not practiced in general. As a result waters flowing in canals
during night hours either pass unutilized or wasted on account of uncontrolled flooding.
It is desirable that the night irrigation is introduced in policy and practice.
4.7 Flood Management
In regard to flood management, the strategies recommended are given here under:
(a) Undertake construction of dams and reservoir schemes with adequate flood
cushion for long term solution of flood problems. Efforts should also be made for
utilizing the existing reservoirs in the country for flood moderation to the extent
30

33. possible. Even in Reservoirs constructed for power/ other purposes, the rule
curves may be framed in such way that effective flood moderation is achieved.
(b) Flood Forecasting and flood warning network of ewe be extended and integrated
with similar networks of the state governments so as to get real time information
at a central point, say in central flood control room under FMO, ewe. This
activity should be extended to cover rivers originating from or flowing to the
neighbouring countries.
(c) To take up development of digital elevation model of flood prone areas for taking
up schemes for inundation forecast, preparation of flood risk maps, planning of
flood management schemes etc.
(d) Identification of appropriate location for breaching! spiling sections in the flood
embankment for the controlled flooding of the protected areas for restoring
fertility, recharge of soil moisture and ground water.
(e) Integrating flood management schemes with other infrastructural development
programmes in the sectors of roads, railways, inland waterways and canal!
command area .development works as well as recently declared Rural
Employment Guarantee Programme.
(f) Watershed management in the hilly catchmentgs of the rivers ongmating in
Nepal, Bhutan and hilly areas of India should be selectively chosen and funded
fully. Implementation should be done through a joint mechanism. Ministry of
Agriculture, who is the nodal Ministry for the watershed management works
should work out a detailed program in consultation with the Ministry of Water
Resources.
(g) To give adequate emphasis on the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the flood
protection measures already created, a percentage of outlay of the flood sector
should be earmarked for this purpose.
(h) Raising and strengthening of the existing embankments, if required after detailed
studies of hydrological, morphological, topographical and developmental aspects,
to stabilize the benefits of these measures.
(i) Natural swamps and lakes to be developed into detention basins and capacity of
existing depressions be improved for absorbing flood waters. Special drives for
development of Tal and Diara areas.
G) Erosion of land either by sea or rivers to be minimized through suitable cost
effective measures.
(k) Flood proofing program such as raised platform and quick drainage facilities to be
taken up in a)l the flood prone states.
31

34. (1) Drainage improvement in critical areas in the country to be given priority.
(m) Dredging at selective locations i.e. outfalls etc. in the rivers and the tributaries as
a way to reduce flood levels in low-lying areas and help in quick drainage.
(n) Encourage R&D activities for improved flood management.
(0) To encourage people's participation
(p) . To expedite projects
peaks.
on interlinking of rivers for helping in attenuating flood
(q) Steps to ensure implementation of action plan prepared by NDMA for flood
management should be taken.
(r) On-going schemes of earlier plans be completed expeditiously. All the on going
schemes spilling over to the XI Plan, in which at least 50% execution has taken
place should get first priority on fund allocation during the XI Plan.
(s) The cost for flood component in a multi-purpose water resources development
projects as a long-term solution to flood problem should be funded by
Government of India.
(t) Maintenance of existing flood management works to optimize its benefits.
32

35. 4.8 Achievement in irrigation during the two years of the Bharat Nirman Plan
The statewise achievement in two years ending on September 2006 is given below. It
shows that 2183.776 thousand hectare has been added to the irrigation potential. A
daunting task still left to be achieved in coming two years.
. thF'19ures are III ousand hec arest
I
i ' rOo
rarget
..
• ,.Major & Aebievements up
SI. No
States/ Urs;Name Minor
Medium Total toSeptember
, Irrigation Irrigation 2006.. . 'r. , i '"
1 Andhra Pradesh 441.27 1125.23 1566.49 302.065
2 Arunachal Pradesh 0,0 22.39 22.39 4.777
3 Assam* 30.3 42.75 73.06 3.314
4 Bihar* 413.99 1285.8 1699.79 279.451
5 Chhattisgarh 44.35 146.68 191.03 65.661
6 Goa* 24.42 2.6 27.02 1.224
7 Gujarat 945.73 0.0 945.73 255.224
8 Haryana 33.73 24.1 57.83 33.301
9 Himachal Pradesh 30.91 46.91 77.88 8.842
10 lharkhand 81.22 253.14 334.36 15.701
11 Jammu & Kashmir 18.01 92.54 110.55 14.847
12 Karnataka 262.82 124 386.82 111.31
13 Kerala** 16.09 21.68 37.77 15.856
14 Madhya Pradesh* 611.72 162 773.72 81.38
15 Maharashtra* 465.31 356.51 821.81 93.13
16 Manipur* 51.95 15.5 67.45 0
17 Meghalaya 0.0 14.93 14.93 2.073
18 Mizoram* 0.0 10.96 10.96 0.628
19 Nagaland* 0.0 16.12 16.12 2.59
20 Orissa 198.99 132.95 331.94 32.66
21 Punjab 40.34 20.56 60.9 68.755
22 Rajasthan** 379.74 40.1 419.84 264.59
23 Sikkim* 0.0 7.03 7.03 0.8
24 Tamil Nadu 0.0 23.55 23.55 16.461
25 Tripura 26.89 54.29 81.18 6.327
26 Uttar Pradesh** 825.16 152.08 977.24 464.372
27 Uttranchal 0.0 38.29 38.29 34.967 '
28 West Bengal* 135.67 563.84 699.51 3.46
29 Andman & Nicobar Island 0.0 0.33 0.33 0
30 Pondicherry 0.0 2.75 2.75 0
" ~'.-
Total' 2183.7665078.67 4799.58 , 9878.26
I
L 33
------------------~------

36. * The achievements are up to March 2006 only. The progress/achievement of 2006-07 was under
compilation/scrutiny in ewe at the time ofpreparation of this document.
** The figures for states ofKerala and Rajasthan pertain to the achievement of whole year 2006-07 and for
the State of Uttar Pradesh the achievement is up to December2006. .
4.9 Conclusions
Water sector development encompasses multidisciplinary considerations. There is no
scope of overlooking any sector while giving priority to any sector or sectors. The
integrated planning is the only possible way to tackle the water resources development.
The participatory approach is the key for its sustainability. Bharat ·Nirman Plan of
Government of India by setting up goals for the period of four years is a boost to the
already existing schemes in different ministries. Irrigation and public water supply is the
basic components of development have been rightly considered in the Bharat Nirman
Plan. The ambitious project has already traveled through a span of two years and has.
achieved some part of the goals. The balance part has to be done with equal fervor. The
recent modification in AlBP norms is the evidence of the governmental zeal in achieving
the goals. For the continuance of the food sufficiency, the irrigation development is the
feasible quick solution. The component of Irrigation in Bharat Nirman is thus a huge help
for the required development in the water sector.
34