National Water Development Agency

The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) is the Union government's technical agency for investigating options to transfer water between river basins and improve the planned use of water resources. Established in 1982 as an autonomous society, it functions under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Core planning mandate

NWDA conducts scientific studies needed to assess whether proposed inter-basin water-transfer projects are technically and economically feasible.

• It prepares water-balance studies to estimate water availability, existing and projected uses, and possible surpluses or deficits in river basins.
• It undertakes surveys and investigations of proposed reservoirs, canals and connecting links.
• It prepares pre-feasibility reports, feasibility reports and detailed project reports for river-link proposals, including intra-state links referred by state governments.
• It examines the likely irrigation, drinking-water, hydropower and other water-resource benefits of proposed projects.

Role in the National Perspective Plan

NWDA is the principal technical agency for studying the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers, which covers the Himalayan Rivers Development and Peninsular Rivers Development components.

• It identifies possible links using hydrological, topographical, environmental and socio-economic information.
• It supports consultation among the Union government and concerned states by supplying technical assessments and project alternatives.
• It may assist in implementing river-link projects assigned to it after the required governmental decisions and clearances.

Place in water governance

NWDA provides project investigation and planning support; its studies do not by themselves authorize water transfer. Implementation requires agreement among concerned governments and compliance with applicable environmental, forest, rehabilitation, financial and other approval processes.

• Its mandate links basin-level data with long-term water-resources planning.
• Its assessments must account for competing basin needs rather than treating all estimated water availability as automatically transferable.