Minimum water flow in ganga at haridwar ghats

Minimum water flow in ganga at haridwar ghats

In response to ecological concerns, the Government of India issued a Gazette Notification on October 9, 2018, establishing minimum environmental flows for the River Ganga. This directive covers the Upper Ganga River Basin, beginning from its glaciers and tributary confluences up to Devprayag, extending to Haridwar and along the main stem of the river to Unnao district in Uttar Pradesh. Since January 1, 2019, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has been responsible for monitoring these environmental flows across 11 designated projects.

To facilitate necessary repair work, the Upper Ganga Canal undergoes an annual closure. During this maintenance period, the water level at the Bhimgoda Barrage is carefully regulated to ensure sufficient water supply for the Ganga Aarti ceremonies at Har ki Podi. Temporary bunds are constructed to manage water flow, allowing for uninterrupted religious observances both in the morning and evening.

The Uttar Pradesh State Government has emphasized that effective coordination among various departments and agencies is maintained to ensure the availability of water during significant religious activities in Haridwar, thereby balancing ecological preservation with cultural practices.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5460
ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

MINIMUM WATER FLOW IN GANGA AT HARIDWAR GHATS

5460. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the concrete steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure minimum water flow in the Ganga at Haridwar ghats, especially during the repair work of the Upper Ganga Canal;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any studies on the impact of declining water levels in Haridwar on religious rituals, tourism and aquatic life and if so, the details and key findings thereof;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent pollution and accumulation of waste at the said ghats during low water levels;

(d) whether the Government is coordinating with the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department to prevent water shortages during religious activities in Haridwar and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has any long-term plan to maintain a balance between canal maintenance and uninterrupted water supply at Haridwar ghats and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a), (d) & (e) The Government of India vide Gazette Notification dated 9th October, 2018 notified the minimum environmental flows for River Ganga that need to be maintained at various locations on the river. The order applies to the Upper Ganga River Basin starting from originating glaciers and through respective confluences of its head tributaries finally meeting at Devprayag up to Haridwar and the main stem of River Ganga up to Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. As per notification, monitoring of e-flows is carried out by Central Water Commission (CWC) since 1st January, 2019 for 11 projects.

For the repair works, the annual closure of Upper Ganga Canal is taken. During this period, barrage reservoir level is maintained at Bhimgoda Barrage to ensure the availability of water at the time of Ganga Aarti via old supply channel. The mechanism exists to give the water for Shree Ganga Aarti in the morning and evening at Har ki Podi by making the temporary bunds during the canal maintenance period.

UP State Government has informed that coordination between various Departments/Agencies is ensured at different levels regarding water availability in Haridwar during various religious activities.

(b) The flow in the rivers is dynamic and depends on many parameters such as rainfall, its distribution and intensity in the catchment, catchment characteristics and withdrawals/utilization of water. CWC carries out Hydrological observation on rivers across the country.

Further, Annual Discharge Data for 03 no sites at Ganga River, namely; Haridwar, Rishikesh & Devprayag (G) measured between 2020-2024 does not indicate any declining trend. The details is enclosed at Annexure.

(c) As informed by U.P. State Government, Municipal Corporation, Haridwar undertakes cleaning of ghats under the corporation area.

ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5460 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 03.04.2025 REGARDING “MINIMUM WATER FLOW IN GANGA AT HARIDWAR GHATS”.

Note:- Water year is from June to May
* Partial Water Year (June to March)

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