**Executive Summary**
On March 26, 2026, Shri V. L. Kantha Rao chaired a Regional State Water Secretaries Conference in Telangana to review ongoing water sector schemes and strengthen Centre-State coordination. The meeting focused on resolving implementation bottlenecks, addressing inter-state issues, and preparing for the next Finance Commission cycle. Participating States and Union Territories (UTs) were urged to streamline the implementation of critical technical advisories and ensure the time-bound completion of priority projects.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Conference Objectives and Participation**
* Reviewed the implementation of ongoing schemes and works conducted by departmental organizations across participating States and UTs.
* Provided a platform for senior officers from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands to discuss water sector matters.
* Focused on understanding state-specific concerns regarding projects and inter-state coordination to strengthen partnerships.
**Project Management and Policy Reform**
* Emphasized the urgent need for timely completion of ongoing projects to ensure time-bound progress of priority works.
* Requested States/UTs to actively participate in the revision and reformation of DoWR, RD & GR schemes for the next Finance Commission (FC) cycle.
* Identified the need to reduce gaps in Centre-State coordination to overcome implementation bottlenecks.
**Technical Advisories and Safety Standards**
* Discussed the adoption of departmental advisories regarding Sediment Management and Salinity Ingress in coastal areas.
* Stressed the priority implementation of the provisions of the Dam Safety Act.
* Highlighted the importance of flood forecasting activities and the "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" initiative for sustainable water management.
**Impact Analysis**
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
Participating States and UTs are tasked with executing central schemes and managing regional water resources but face localized bottlenecks and coordination gaps with the central government.
**Action Required**
They must streamline the implementation of critical advisories on priority, address project bottlenecks, and participate in the reformation of schemes for the upcoming FC cycle.
**Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR)**
**Impact**
The department is responsible for providing comprehensive support for the planning and management of water projects across the country.
**Action Required**
The department must facilitate integrated strategies for sustainable development and maintain commitment to supporting states in executing priority water sector works.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR): The primary central department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti responsible for coordinating water sector schemes and Centre-State partnerships.
Dam Safety Act: A key legislative framework discussed during the conference for streamlined implementation across participating states.
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: A community-led water conservation initiative highlighted for priority implementation by states and UTs.
Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands: The specific cluster of southern and island states/UTs that constitute the geographic scope of this regional policy review.
Shri V. L. Kantha Rao: The Secretary of DoWR, RD & GR who chaired the conference and directed the reformation of schemes for the next Finance Commission cycle.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR Shri V L Kantha Rao
Chairs Regional Conference of State Water
Secretaries in Telangana
Conference reviews implementation of ongoing schemes and
discusses measures to strengthen Centre-State coordination
in water sector
Posted On: 26 MAR 2026 4:50PM by PIB Delhi
Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga
Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, chaired the Regional State Water Secretaries
Conference held at Dr. MCR HRD Institute of Telangana which 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 daylong conference.
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 co-
ordination and partnerships.
During the conference, State Govt. officials illustrated the scheme implementation status, expectations
from the Government of India and related bottlenecks in respective states/UTs in the field of water
resources. The Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR underpinned the need for timely completion of ongoing
projects and to reduce the gaps in Centre-state coordination to ensure time-bound progress of priority
works. He called upon the States/UTs to participate in revision and reformation of schemes of DoWR, RD
&GR for next FC cycle.
Apart from the regular ongoing schemes, discussions also took place on Flood forecasting activities and
adoption of advisories issued by the DoWR, RD & GR by the States/UTs on Sediment Management,
Salinity Ingress in Coastal areas, implementation of the provisions of Dam Safey Act, Jal Sanchay Jan
Bhagidari among others. Participating states/UTs were requested to streamline implementation of these
critical advisories on priority basis.
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.*****
ND
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