india flag image Government of India

Central Water Commission

(Serving the nation since 1945)

Welcome to Project Appraisal Organisation

Project Appraisal Organisation (PAO) is assigned the task of performing and coordinating the techno-economic appraisal of irrigation, flood control and multipurpose projects proposed by State Governments. PAO is headed by Chief Engineer and works under Water Project & Planning (WP&P) wing of CWC. Six (6) Directorates namely Project Appraisal (North), Project Appraisal (Central), Project Appraisal (South), Cost Appraisal (Irrigation)-1, Cost Appraisal (Irrigation)-2 and Cost Appraisal (HWF) works under PAO. After establishment of techno-economic viability of the project, the Advisory Committee of DoWR, RD & GR on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose Projects headed by Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR considers the projects for acceptance and thereafter recommends the same for investment clearance. Since 1976, about 1621 projects have been considered and accepted by the Advisory Committee of Ministry of Water Resources on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose projects in 154 meetings till January 2024. The Summary Record of discussions of the meetings of the Advisory Committee of DoWR, RD & GR may be accessed through following link:

  • Meeting of Advisory Committee
  • Besides these, the Hydro-power projects proposed by State Power Corporations/ Electricity Boards/ Private Sector Organisations for Techno-economic clearance by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) are also scrutinised in CWC from the view point of hydrology, civil design, inter-state issues and cost aspects of civil components. Technical aspects of water supply schemes and cost aspects of Flood Control Schemes (except projects for Ganga Basin and Brahmaputra Basin) are also appraised as and when referred to by State Governments.

    Classification of the Irrigation Projects based on Culturable Command Area (CCA) is as under: Major Irrigation Projects- CCA more than 10,000 ha Medium Irrigation Projects- CCA between 2,000 ha and 10,000 ha Minor Irrigation Projects- CCA less than 2,000 ha

    The various guidelines related to preparation and appraisal of PFR/DPR may be accessed through following link:

Functional Domains of Central Water Commission

Water Resources
Appraisal of Water Resources Projects

CWC is responsible for appraisal of preliminary/detailed project report pertaining to major inter-state project proposals.

Basin Planning and Management
Basin Planning and Management

Responsible for co-ordination with states for establishing river basin organisations as per National Water Policy, examination of project reports etc.

Civil & Structural Design of WR Projects
Civil & Structural Design of WR Projects

Overall Planning, Design, Consultancy and Appraisal for Civil Structural Design of WR Projects.

Damsafety
Dam Safety

Dams, being a major infrastructure component of water resources, play a vital role in providing overall water security to the country.

Flood Forecasting/ Hydrological
Flood Forecasting/ Hydrological Observation

CWC is responsible for Monitoring of Flood situation through Central Flood Control Room during monsson period.

Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management

This wing looks into administrative, establishment and personnel service matters

Hydro-mechanical Design of WR Administration Projects
Hydro-Mechanical Design of WR Projects

Overall planning, design and appraisal of hydro-mechanical equipment for water resources projects.

Hydrology
Hydrology

Technical appraisal of hydrological aspects like water availabilty, design flood, sedimentation, diversion flood etc.

Monitoring of Water Resources
Monitoring of Water Resources Projects

Monitoring of WR projects at Central Level is done by CWC under the aegis of three tier monitoring system.

River Management
River Management

This wing is responsible for, collection, compilation, storage and retrieval of hydrological and hydro-meteorological data

Survey
Survey and Investigation of WR Projects

Survey and Investigation work related to preparation of DPR for major/medium/multi-purpose WR projects.

Inter-state International Conflict
Water Disputes Resolution

All the major river basins and some among the medium river basins  are of inter-state nature.

Water Management
Water Management

Central Water Commission is monitoring the water quality of rivers since late 1950s and presently its water quality network is spread all over India.