Major Milestones: 50 years of Water Resource Management in India

1957	National Project Construction Corporation (NPCC) established for developing infrastructure in core sectors of irrigation and water resource, power and heavy industry. The corporation has to its credit execution of more than 120 projects of irrigation / river valley projects, barrages, canals, hydro and thermal power projects, tunnels and industrial projects and other infrastructure projects on turnkey basis.
1960	Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, a permanent commission has been set up. Flood warning arrangements were made by India through priority telegrams, telephones and radio-broadcasts for the benefit of Pakistan during the period July 1 to October 10, 1998 for the Indus system of rivers.
1969	Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd. Established – This is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Water Resource and provides integrated technical consultancy services in the water and power sector in India and abroad. Second Irrigation Commissions set up to review the development of irrigation in India since 1903, to examine the adequacy of water supply in major irrigation projects, to draw up a broad outline for developing self sufficiency in cereals and to examine the administrative and organisational set up for planning, execution and operation of irrigation works
1972	Ganga Flood Control Commission established to prepare comprehensive plans of flood management of the river systems in the Ganga sub-basin, drawing out a phased programme of implementation of various schemes from techno-economic angle, monitoring of important flood management schemes and providing other technical guidance to the basin states. The commission also technically examines flood management and flood proofing schemes submitted by the states.
1974 - 1975	Hydrology Project launched for a period of six years, beginning from 1995-96 in the peninsular states. The main objective of the project is to improve the infrastructure and staff capabilities of the Central and State agencies involved in surface and ground water hydrology in the project area for collection and management of hydrometric and water quality data and the use of such data for resource evaluation and management. Command Area Development Programme launched to improve utilisation of irrigation potential and optimising agricultural productivity.
1978	The National Institute of Hydrology set up at Roorkee (UP) for undertaking, promoting and coordinating systematic scientific works in all aspects of hydrology.
1980	The Sardar Sarovar Construction Advisory Committee constituted, for scrutiny of estimates, technical features, designs and to monitor the progress of the construction activity of Unit-I (Dam and Appurtenant Works) and Unit-II (Hydro Power Complex).
1982	National Water Development Agency established – The Indian National Committee on Hydrology constituted to firm up the proposal of interlinkages between various peninsular rivers and Himalayan rivers for transfer of water from water surplus basins to water deficit basins for the optimum utilisation of water resources.
1983	National Water Resource Council set up to lay down the national water policy and to review it from time to time, to consider and review water development plans submitted to it (including alternative plans) by the National Water Development Agency, the River Basin Commissions, etc., to advise on the modalities of resolving inter-State differences with regard to specific elements of water plans and such other issues that arise during planning or implementation of the projects and to advise practices and procedures, administrative arrangements and regulations for the fair distribution and utilisation of water resources by different beneficiaries
1986	Ravi and Beas Water Disputes Tribunal constituted to address the disputes arising out of inter-state sharing of water resources.
1987	National Water Policy adopted
1990	National Water Board Constituted to review the progress of implementation of the National Water Policy and report to the National Water Resource Council for initiating effective measures for systematic development of the country’s water resource.
1996	Treaty signed between India and Nepal for integrated development of the Mahakali river including Sarda Barrage, Tanakpur Barrage and Pancheswar project. Government launches Accelerated Irrigation Benefit programme to give loan assistance to the states to help them complete some of the incomplete irrigation projects.
1997	Indian Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) set up to promote PIM in the country through creation of database, exchange of ideas and taking up research oriented actions