**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 200 in Lok Sabha regarding the proposed construction of Tawar Dam. The Minister of Jal Shakti responds that water projects are primarily managed by State Governments. The Government of Madhya Pradesh deems the Tawar Dam project infeasible due to its location entirely within forest land.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Overview:**
* The question concerns the construction of Tawar Dam near Khajuraho, intended to irrigate and supply drinking water to approximately 20-25 villages.
* **State Government Responsibility:**
* Water resources projects are planned, funded, executed, and maintained by State Governments.
* The Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to State Governments for water resource management.
* **Feasibility Assessment:**
* The Government of Madhya Pradesh examined the feasibility of constructing Tawar Dam near Taricha, Tehsil Devendranagar, District Panna.
* The proposed dam site has a catchment area of 13.25 square kilometers, a submergence area of approximately 112 hectares, and a total storage capacity of 0.90 million cubic meters.
* **Project Infeasibility:**
* The dam axis and submergence area are entirely within forest land, rendering the project infeasible.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of India**
* **Impact:** While primarily a state subject, the Government of India plays a supporting role in water resources management through technical and financial assistance.
* **Action Required:** Continue to offer support to State Governments for sustainable development and efficient management of water resources under various ongoing schemes.
**Government of Madhya Pradesh**
* **Impact:** The State Government is responsible for the planning and execution of water resources projects within its jurisdiction. The Tawar Dam project is deemed infeasible.
* **Action Required:** Consider alternative solutions for irrigation and drinking water supply to the affected villages, given the infeasibility of the Tawar Dam project due to forest land constraints.
**Villages near Khajuraho (potential beneficiaries)**
* **Impact:** Long pending demand for water supply is unlikely to be met by the proposed Tawar Dam
* **Action Required:** N/A. No direct action required, however, they will likely be interested in any new developments with regards to the project.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The primary ministry responsible for water resources, as indicated by the Minister answering the question.
Tawar Dam: The subject of the question; a proposed dam to irrigate and supply drinking water.
Madhya Pradesh: The state where the Tawar Dam project is proposed and examined by the Water Resources Department, but found infeasible due to being on forest land.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 200
ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
CONSTRUCTION OF TAWAR DAM
200. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the long-pending demand for construction of Tawar Dam, intended to irrigate and supply
drinking water to about 20–25 villages near Khajuraho, has been formally examined and whether a Detailed
Project Report has been prepared in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether techno-economic appraisal, environmental clearance and land acquisition processes have been
initiated or completed for the said project and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether drinking water stress and irrigation shortfall in the proposed beneficiary villages have been
documented in the Government’s assessments and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether approvals, funding or clearances are pending and if so, the reasons therefor along with the
corrective actions being taken to expedite sanction;
(e) the timeline fixed for approval and execution of Tawar Dam; and
(f) whether the project is proposed to be linked with any larger regional water initiatives to ensure
groundwater recharge and irrigation security and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (f) Water being a State subject, water resources projects are planned, funded, executed and
maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priority. However, in order
to supplement their efforts, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to State
Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources under
various ongoing schemes.
Government of Madhya Pradesh has informed that feasibility of construction of a minor tank namely
Tawar Dam on a local stream near village Taricha, tehsil Devendranagar, district Panna has been examined
by Water Resources Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The proposed site has catchment area of
13.25 square kilometers, a submergence area of approximately 112 hectares and a total storage capacity of
0.90 million cubic metre.
Government of Madhya Pradesh has further informed that the dam axis and submergence area both
are entirely within forest land, which makes the project infeasible.
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