The 2014-15 Annual Report from the Central Water Commission (CWC) highlights the organization’s significant contributions in water resources management, development projects, flood management, hydrological data collection, and international cooperation.

Key Highlights and Data

1. Geographical and Population Data:

   • Total geographical area: 328.7 million hectares.
   • Population (2011): 1.21 billion.

2. Water Resources:

   • Average annual rainfall: 3989 BCM.
   • Mean annual natural runoff: 1869 BCM.
   • Estimated utilizable surface water potential: 690 BCM.
   • Groundwater resources available for irrigation: 369 BCM.

3. Hydropower Potential:

   • Ultimate hydropower potential: 84,044 MW.
   • Developed hydropower potential (as of March 2015): 41,267 MW.

Projects Implemented

1. Design Consultancy:

   • Provided to 50 water resources development projects in India and neighboring countries.

2. Monitoring and Appraisal:

   • Techno-economic appraisal of 16 projects.
   • General monitoring of 47 projects and 149 projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP).

3. Flood Management:

   • Issued 4772 flood forecasts with 97.8% accuracy.

Budget Allocation and Utilization

• Examination of proposals for release of INR 1901.67 crore under the AIBP program.
• Central Loan Assistance/Grant totaling INR 53,120.47 crore provided to states for 297 projects under AIBP.

Pros and Cons of the Report

Pros:

1. Comprehensive Data Collection:
   • Extensive hydrological data collection at 954 sites, ensuring accurate and timely information.
2. Successful Flood Management:
   • High accuracy in flood forecasting, benefiting effective flood management.
3. International Cooperation:
   • Technical assistance to neighboring countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Cons:

1. Project Delays:
   • Specific details on delayed projects were not highlighted but should be addressed for transparency and future planning.
2. Budget Utilization:
   • The need for better tracking and reporting on budget utilization to ensure funds are effectively used.

Delayed Projects

• The report indicates that there were delays in several projects, primarily due to bureaucratic hurdles, funding issues, and coordination challenges between various agencies. Specific project names and details were not provided but warrant further investigation and resolution.