## Policy Summary: Kathan Medium Irrigation Project
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question (Loksabha Unstarred Question No. 4825) regarding the Kathan Medium Irrigation Project in the Bada Malhara Legislative Assembly of Damoh Lok Sabha Constituency, Madhya Pradesh. The question, posed on August 21, 2025, inquired about the status of the project, for which an agreement was reportedly signed in 2023 but construction had not commenced.
The Minister of State for Jal Shakti clarified that water resource management is primarily the responsibility of the State Government. The Central Government's role is limited to providing technical support and partial financial assistance.
The State Government of Madhya Pradesh granted administrative approval for the project in September 2020, and an agreement for construction was signed on April 5, 2023. However, construction has been delayed due to the unavailability of necessary statutory clearances, specifically forest and environmental clearances. Furthermore, geotechnical investigations revealed poor rock conditions at the proposed spillway foundation, potentially requiring relocation of the spillway in consultation with the Geological Survey of India.
The commencement of construction is scheduled to occur after the completion of statutory clearances and the finalization of the spillway location and foundation treatment. No specific timeline for these actions was provided. The response does not indicate any immediate plans to take action against officers or the construction agency for the delays, pending the resolution of the identified impediments.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and irrigation.
Kathan Medium Irrigation Project: A medium irrigation project planned on the Kathen river.
Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi: Member of Parliament who raised a question about the Kathan Medium Irrigation Project.
Damoh Lok Sabha Constituency: The parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh, India, where the irrigation project is located.
Kathen river: The river on which the Kathan Medium Irrigation Project is planned.
Madhya Pradesh: The state government responsible for the execution of the irrigation project.
Geological Survey of India: An organisation to be consulted regarding the spillway location of the irrigation project.
Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary: The Minister of State for Jal Shakti who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4825
ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025
KATHAN MEDIUM IRRIGATION PROJECT
†4825. SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that under the Bada Malhara Legislative Assembly of Damoh Lok
Sabha Constituency, a medium irrigation project on the Kathen river was approved about five years ago
for which an agreement was signed in the year 2023 but the construction work has not started till date
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the reasons for not starting the construction work;
(c) the time by which the construction work of the said irrigation project would be commenced; and
(d) whether the Government would consider taking action against the officers and construction agency
responsible for the delay in starting the said construction work and if so, the time by which it is likely to
be done?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (d) Water being a State subject, it is for the State Government concerned to plan, execute,
operate and manage irrigation projects. Role of Government of India is to provide technical support and
partial financial assistance for identified projects under the ongoing schemes.
The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has informed that Administrative Approval for a major
irrigation project on river Kathan under Bada Malhara Legislative Assembly of Damoh Lok Sabha
Constituency has been accorded by Government of Madhya Pradesh in September, 2020. Agreement for
construction of this project has been signed on 05.04.2023.
The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has further informed that the construction work could
not start due to non-availability of statutory clearances, namely forest clearance and environmental
clearance. Further, geotechnical investigation at project site has revealed poor rock condition in
proposed spillway foundation area, which may require shifting of spillway location in consultation with
Geological Survey of India.
The construction work of the said irrigation project is scheduled after completion of the statutory
clearances and finalisation of spillway location/foundation treatment.
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