Centre Seeks to Continue River Basin Management Scheme with Rs 2,183 Crore Allocation for 2026-31

River Basin Management Scheme to Continue with Rs 2,183 Crore Outlay

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced that the Centre will continue the river basin management (RBM) scheme during the 16th Finance Commission period from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a fully funded outlay of Rs 2,183 crore.

The scheme, which had a budget allocation of Rs 1,276 crore in the previous phase from 2021-22 to 2025-26, aims to promote sustainable use of water while supporting irrigation, hydropower, and flood management. The scheme focuses on strategically important and water-rich but underdeveloped regions, particularly river basins in the north eastern region and the Indus basin in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including major systems such as the Brahmaputra, Barak, and Teesta.

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The scheme prioritizes basins that are important for national water security, cross-border water management, flood control, and ecological stability. It also seeks to address capacity gaps in states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland, which require central support for project planning and development.

The scheme is being implemented through the Brahmaputra Board, Central Water Commission, and National Water Development Agency. Under the scheme, surveys, investigations, and preparation of detailed project reports for multipurpose projects are undertaken, particularly in difficult terrains in the north east and Jammu & Kashmir.

The completion of detailed project reports is expected to lead to expansion of irrigation capacity, hydropower generation, and improved flood control. The Brahmaputra Board component includes preparation of basin master plans, flood management, anti-erosion works, and drainage development in the north eastern region, including protection of vulnerable areas such as Majuli island.

The Central Water Commission undertakes survey and investigation of projects in the Brahmaputra, Barak, Teesta, and Indus basins, while the National Water Development Agency carries out studies under the interlinking of rivers programme, including preparation of pre-feasibility, feasibility, and detailed project reports.

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Modern tools such as geographic information systems, remote sensing, LiDAR, and drone-based surveys are being used to improve planning accuracy and project development. The scheme also includes community-based interventions such as springshed management and dissemination of improved water management practices in hilly and tribal areas.

The continuation of the scheme will help strengthen infrastructure readiness and support sustainable and coordinated management of river basins.