Hyderabad, March 26 (RAHNUMA): V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Department of Water Resources under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, chaired a Regional State Water Secretaries Conference here at Dr. MCR HRD Institute. The conference has brought together senior officers from the Water Resources Departments of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands together at a single platform to discuss wide array of matters pertaining to the water sector. Officials of DoWR, RD&GR, New Delhi and 15 heads of major organizations of the department also participated in the day-long conference.
The key objectives of the conference encompassed review of the implementation of ongoing schemes of the department in the participating States/UTs; works done by the organizations of the Department in these States, understanding concerns of the States/UTs with respect to ongoing schemes/projects and inter -state matters; and detailed deliberations on these aspects to further strengthen thrust areas of Centre-State coordination and partnerships.
Senior officials from southern states and Union Territories reviewed implementation of key water schemes and discussed inter-state concerns. The focus remained on improving Centre-State coordination, timely project execution, and reforms for the next Finance Commission cycle.
Key issues like flood forecasting, sediment management, salinity ingress, dam safety, and public participation in water conservation were also deliberated. The Centre urged states to fast-track implementation of critical advisories.
In his concluding remarks, the Secretary reiterated the significance of the meeting in formulating and executing integrated strategies for sustainable and effective development of water resources in the region. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to providing comprehensive support for the planning, development, and management of water resources projects/schemes across the Country
