Fwd: Releases.......pt3

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Press Information Bureau Ministry of I&B <pib.kolkata@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 5, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Subject: Releases.......pt3

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Water Resources                     

Flood from Rivers Originating from Nepal

New Delhi: May 5, 2010

 

Flood waters from rivers originating in Nepal and Uttarakhand, sometimes create flood situation in Bihar and Terrai areas of Uttar Pradesh. The major rivers causing floods in Bihar and Terrai areas of Uttar Pradesh are namely, Sharda, Ghaghra, Rapti, Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla and Kosi originating from Nepal. Therefore, discussions are on with the Government of Nepal to undertake flood management works on common border to prevent spilling of flood waters in the Gangetic plains. For this purpose, the Government of India is providing financial assistance to the Government of Nepal for raising, strengthening and extension of flood embankments on Bagmati, Kamla, Lalbakeya and Khando rivers to tie them with high grounds in Nepal. In addition, flood protection works of Kosi and Gandak Projects in Nepal are maintained by the State Governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh respectively, with the central assistance from the Ministry of Water Resources.

 

The Government of India is in constant dialogue with Government of Nepal and keen on implementation of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project on river Sharda (Mahakali in Nepal), Saptakosi High Dam Project on river Kosi and Naumure Multipurpose Project on river Rapti (West Rapti in Nepal), to utilize the surplus flood water for useful purpose. These projects, on implementation, would provide benefits to the people of India and Nepal, both, in the form of hydro-power, irrigation and flood moderation.

 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Vincent H. Pala in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

 

sk/rs/dk/kol/14:43 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Water Resources                     

Distribution of Water under International law

New Delhi: May 5, 2010

 

The Indus Waters Treaty 1960 between Government of India and Government of Pakistan for the utilization of the waters of the Indus system of rivers which includes river Chenab exists. An "Agreement Between His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Government of India on the Kosi Project (19th December, 1966)" also exists and it provides for withdrawal of water from Kosi river by Nepal and regulation of balance of supplies in Kosi river, by the 'Union' i.e. the Government of India at the barrage site, available from time to time.

 

There is no agreement/ Treaty with China regarding sharing of waters of trans-border rivers including Brahmaputra. However, a Joint Expert Level Mechanism has been set up by India and China to discuss the interaction and cooperation on the provision of flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border rivers. This body agreed upon a Memorandum of Understanding for provision of hydrological information in respect of three stations in Tibet in flood season by China to India.

 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Vincent H. Pala in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

 

sk/rs/dk/kol/14:43 hrs.

 

 

 

 

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Shipping                       

Consultative Committee on Shipping Dicusses NMDP

New Delhi: May 5, 2010

 

The second meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Shipping met here today to discuss the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP). Welcoming the members, the Chairman of the Committee and Minister of Shipping Shri G. K. Vasan initiated the discussions.

 

The members were informed that:

 

• Andaman would soon be notified as a Major Port to join the league of the existing 12 Major Ports, which handle close to 72% of the total sea borne traffic of India.

 

• The Major Ports together have, as on 31 March 2010, a Cargo handling capacity of about 599.00 Million Tonnes.

 

• The traffic handled at these ports during 2009-10 was 560.97 MT, a growth of 5.74% despite global slow down and recessionary trends.

 

• In the Ports sector, 276 projects were identified to be taken up under NMDP for implementation between 1 April, 2005 and 31 March 2012, involving an investment of around Rs. 55804 crores at 2004-05 prices.

 

• With a thrust on Public Private Partnership, these projects aim at all-round development of the ports.

 

• The projected traffic of Major Ports during 2011-12 is 615.70 MT, and a capacity of about 800 is required to meet this traffic.

 

• Of the investment envisaged for the Ports, Rs 3609.00 crores comes through Budgetary Support, Rs. 13771.54 crores through the port's internal resources, Rs. 34505.34 crores, through private sector and Rs. 3917.85 crores from other sources including investments by Ministry of Railways, NHAI, etc.

 

• Of the total NMDP projects envisaged, 50 have been completed at a cost of Rs. 5717.28 crores, in 74 work is in progress, at a cost of Rs. 16502.68 crores, work at 16 projects have been approved at a cost of Rs. 3100.33, but are yet to be awarded, 29 projects have been firmed up, costing Rs. 11561.39 crores, they are under the process of approval, 82 projects worth Rs. 19878.20 crores are under preliminary planning stage and 25 projects worth Rs. 5961.41 crores have been dropped.

 

• On completion of NMDP, an addition of 402.91 MT capacity is envisaged by 2011-12, and the overall capacity of major ports is expected to reach 800.41 MT.

 

• In the Shipping sector, Indian tonnage, as on 1 April 2010, is 9.61 MGT, ranking 17th in the world.

 

• Indian tonnage has steadily increased after the introduction of tonnage tax.

 

• NMDP has 111 projects worth Rs. 44535 crores in the shipping and inland water transport sector involving investment of approximately Rs. 44535 crores: of these 13 projects worth Rs. 3117.83 crores have been completed and 47 worth Rs. 6913.80 crores are under implementation

 

The members called for early and time bound completion of all NMDP projects to avoid cost overruns. The members also discussed and gave suggestions on various sector related issues including Cruise Shipping, the Floating University concept, utilization of the Andaman Port to develop trade with Thailand, betterment of the existing ports, shortage of pilots, shortage of training institutions, security of Indian vessels and security of Indians working in ships registered abroad, social and corporate responsibility of ports and major shipping corporations, land disputes at ports etc.

 

The members present at today's meeting were Shri Francisco Cosme Sardinha, Shri Anirudhan Sampath, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Smt. Poonamben Veljibhai Jat, Shri J M Aaron Rashid and Shri Swapan Sadhan Bose.

 

mc/dk/kol/14:44 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways                                

Four laning of Mumbai-Goa NH

New Delhi: May 5, 2010

 

The Government is planning to widen the Mumbai-Goa stretch of National Highway 17 to four lane. The Mumbai-Goa stretch of NH-17 has a length of 475.210 km. in the State of Maharashtra and 122 Km. in the State of Goa. In Maharashtra, four laning on a 25 km stretch between Zarap to Patra Devi is in progress and is likely to be completed in December, 2010. On the balance portion, the work is likely to commence in the year 2011-12. The entire work is likely to be completed in 2014-15. The present estimated cost is around Rs.7100 crores.

 

This information was provided by Shri R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

rs: pm/dk/kol/14:44 hrs.

 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways                                

Allocation of Funds for Maintenance of NHs

New Delhi: May 5, 2010

 

The centre has allocated Rs.865.51 crores in the year 2008-09 and Rs.946.82 crores in 2009-10 for maintenance and repair of National Highways (NHs).

 

The top three States as far as funds allocation in the year 2008-09 is concerned are Andhra Pradesh (83.25 crores),Rajasthan (72.35 crores) and Karnataka (71.24 crores). In 2009-10, Assam (78.85 crores), Rajasthan (76.53 crores) and Uttar Pradesh (73.93 crores) tops the list. No fund has been allocated for the current year 2010-11 for the purpose so far.

 

State Public Works Departments, the executive agencies of NHs undertook the repair and maintenance works on National Highways like Ordinary Repair (OR), Periodical Renewals (PR), Special Repair (SR) and Flood Damage Repairs (FDR) keeping in view the requirement and availability of funds.

 

This information was provided by Shri R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

rs: pm/dk/kol/14:44 hrs.

 

--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/