Khattar approves implementation of National Hydrology Project

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has given approval for implementation of the Rs 50-crore National Hydrology Project to be set up in the state with 100 per cent assistance from the Centre.
The project aimed at improving the extent, quality and accessibility of information about water resources, and strengthening the capacity of water resource management institutions in the country, an official spokesman said here today.
He said the direct beneficiaries of the project include central and state implementing agencies responsible for surface and/or ground water planning and management.
The ultimate beneficiaries would be farm communities selected for pilot projects, rural and urban water and power users and people affected by floods and droughts, and such families may benefit from improved irrigation water supply and management.

Besides, stakeholders across the energy, inland waterways, environment and agriculture ministries, research and educational institutions, students and researchers, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and the private sector would also stand to gain, he said.
The spokesperson said central assistance had been allotted to Haryana for implementation of the project in four components -- improving water resources monitoring system, water resources information system, water resources management application and institutions and capacity building.

A Memorandum of Agreement and Financial Management under the National Hydrology Project has already been signed between the Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Haryana and the Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Giving further details, he said that the project would establish monitoring networks in Haryana, with a focus on deploying new sensors, data storage and telemetry technologies across the state, to establish comprehensive, modern and automated real-time monitoring systems for surface and ground water.
Under the project, enhanced use would be made of powerful earth observation systems to provide improved information about water resources, the spokesman said.
"Comprehensive data management systems would be further developed and deployed nation-wide. The project would also develop and demonstrate tools for water resources assessment, hydrologic and flood inundation forecasting, water infrastructure operations, groundwater modelling, and river basin and investment planning," he said.