Miscellaneous Schemes under Ministry of Jal Shakti
These schemes reflect India’s shift from water provisioning to scientific water governance.
National Hydrology Project (NHP)
– Data-Driven Water Governance
| Feature | Details |
| 📜 Type | Central Sector Scheme |
| 🧾 Launched | 2016-17 |
| ⏳ Duration | Up to Sept 2025 |
| 🌍 Support | World Bank |
🎯 Purpose
To improve the quality, reliability, and accessibility of water resources information across India.
It ensures “one nation, one water data system” for decision-making in irrigation, flood control, reservoir operations, etc.
🔧 Key Components
- Water Resources Monitoring System (WRMS)
- Real-time data on rainfall, stream flow, groundwater, etc.
- Water Resources Information System (WRIS)
- Open-access water data in GIS format.
- Water Resources Operations and Planning System (WROPS)
- Decision support tools for irrigation scheduling, flood forecasting.
- Institutional Capacity Enhancement
- Training, workshops, and institutional strengthening.
Young Water Professional Programme (YWPP)
A human resource development arm of NHP
- Jointly launched by Australia India Water Centre (Western Sydney University + IIT Guwahati).
- Selects young professionals (10 men & 10 women in first batch).
- Trains them in:
- Water governance reforms
- Project management
- Leadership in hydrology
India-WRIS Portal
– India Water Resources Information System
Single-window digital platform for all water-related spatial data
- Joint initiative of:
- Central Water Commission (CWC)
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Hosted under NHP.
- Provides:
- River basin maps
- Reservoir storage data
- Watershed boundaries
- Aquifer information
- Useful for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and policymaking.
🏗️ Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
– Safety and Sustainability of Large Dams
| Feature | Details |
| 📜 Type | Central Sector Scheme |
| 💰 Funding | World Bank + AIIB + State agencies |
| 🎯 Objective | Improve structural safety & operational performance of dams |
🔹 Why needed?
India has 5000+ large dams, many of which are aging. DRIP ensures they are retrofitted for modern hydrological and seismic risks.
🚧 Phases of Implementation
| Phase | Duration | Coverage |
| Phase I | 2012–2021 | 223 dams in 7 States |
| Phases II & III | 2021–2031 | 736 dams across India |
📌 Includes dam instrumentation, gates maintenance, early warning systems, and community preparedness for dam-related disasters.
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)
– Understanding India’s Hidden Water Tanks
| Feature | Details |
| 🧠 Nodal Agency | Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) |
| 🧾 Launched | 2012 |
| 🎯 Objective | Scientific mapping of India’s aquifers for sustainable management |
🧪 What is an Aquifer?
A porous underground rock formation that stores and transmits groundwater.
🔍 Purpose of NAQUIM
- Delineate aquifer boundaries
- Analyze:
- Water quality
- Recharge rates
- Contaminants (natural & man-made)
- Prepare Aquifer Management Plans (AMPs) for local-level governance.
Recent Update: Mapping completed for 100% of the identified mappable area by March 2023
- As of 2025, NAQUIM remains operational under the Ground Water Management & Regulation Scheme, having completed aquifer mapping of 25 lakh sq. km and now advancing into targeted management and monitoring through NAQUIM 2.0.