Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

NDSA expert panel to examine Kaleshwaram Project

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, Godavari River

Mains level: Issue of Dam Safety in India

Kaleshwaram Project

In the news

  • The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) has been under scrutiny following concerns over the sinking of piers at the Medigadda barrage.
  • To address these issues, National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) will conduct a thorough examination of the project.

What is Kaleshwaram Project?

Details
Location Kaleshwaram village, Telangana, India

Earlier called as Pranahita-Chevella Lift Irrigation Project

Confluence Point Pranhita-Godavari River confluence
Project Size Claimed to be the world’s largest multi-stage and multi-purpose lift irrigation project
Key Features Series of underground and surface water pumping stations, stretching over 300 km
Purpose Supply water to 45 lakh acres in Telangana
Commencement Started in 2016, utilizing approximately 283 TMC of water from the Godavari River
Components Divided into 7 links and 28 packages through 13 districts

Aims to source a total of 240 TMC of water

Construction of barrage at Medigadda, with water reverse-pumped into the Godavari River

Major Pumping Facilities Ramadugu (largest), Medaram, Annaram, and Sundilla

 

 

About Godavari River

 

  • The Godavari River, also known as Dakshin Ganga, is the largest peninsular river system in the region.
  • Its basin is bordered by the Satmala hills to the north, the Ajanta range and Mahadeo hills to the south, the Eastern Ghats to the east, and the Western Ghats to the west.
  • Originating from Trimbakeshwar near Nasik in Maharashtra, the Godavari River flows for approximately 1465 km before reaching the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Godavari basin spans across Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, with smaller portions in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and the UT of Puducherry.
  • Right bank tributaries include the Pravara, Manjira, and Maner.
  • Left bank tributaries comprise the Purna, Pranhita, Indravati, and Sabari rivers.

 

About National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): Ensuring Dam Safety in India

The NDSA plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety standards of dams across the country.

  • Constitutional Basis: Although water management falls under the State List, the Union government has the authority to enact laws related to dam safety under Article 246 of the Constitution. (Parliament holds the power to make laws for any part of India not included within a State, irrespective of whether the subject falls under the State List.)
  • Dam Safety Act, 2021: Parliament has passed the Dam Safety Act to establish an institutional mechanism for ensuring dam safety in India.

Objectives and Functions

  • Institutional Mechanism: The NDSA is tasked with maintaining standards for dam safety, preventing dam-related disasters, and addressing interstate concerns regarding dams.
  • Leadership Structure: The authority is headed by a chairman and supported by five members with expertise in various domains, including policy and research, technical aspects, regulation, disaster management, resilience, and administration and finance.
  • Surveillance and Inspection: Special provisions are in place for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all large dams in the country to prevent dam failure-related disasters.
  • Penal Provisions: The Dam Safety Act includes penal provisions and a list of offenses along with corresponding penalties to ensure compliance.

Organizational Setup

  • Headquarters: The headquarters of the NDSA is located in the National Capital Region (NCR).
  • Regional Offices: The authority is supported by four regional offices strategically positioned across the country to facilitate efficient oversight and management of dam safety.

Try this PYQ from CSP 2015:

Q.Consider the following rivers:

  1. Vamsadhara
  2. Indravati
  3. Pranahita
  4. Pennar

Which of the rivers given above are the tributaries of Godavari?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 2 and 3 only

Post your responses here.
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[Sansad TV] Perspective: Concerns over Dam Safety

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