CR Patil Chairs Brahmaputra Board Review Meeting, Launches National Water Reform Framework

Addressing the gathering, the Minister stressed that water security remains central to India’s long-term development strategy and the vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil chaired the 14th Meeting of the High-Powered Review Board (HPRB) of the Brahmaputra Board in Guwahati on 19 May 2026, where major discussions were held on river basin management, flood control, digital transformation and water governance reforms in the North Eastern Region.

The meeting brought together senior ministers, technical experts, state representatives and stakeholders to review the progress of various river management initiatives and chart a future roadmap for the Brahmaputra Board.

Among those present were Union Cabinet Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, senior officials from the Government of India and North Eastern states, along with technical experts and stakeholders.

State Water Reforms Framework Launched

During the event, Union Minister C. R. Patil officially launched the State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF), a major national initiative aimed at strengthening water governance reforms across states and union territories.

The framework seeks to improve water resource management through better institutional systems, governance mechanisms, policy reforms and technological integration.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister stressed that water security remains central to India's long-term development strategy and the vision of "Viksit Bharat @2047".

He stated that sustainable water management requires more than infrastructure development alone and must include:

• Strong governance systems;

• Effective policy frameworks;

• Institutional strengthening;

• Technological innovation, and

• Community participation.

Brahmaputra Board Reviews River Basin Management Progress

The High-Powered Review Board reviewed the Brahmaputra Board's work in several key areas, including:

• River basin management;

• Flood and erosion control;

• Preparation and updation of masterplans;

• Springshed rejuvenation;

• Water conservation;

• Digital transformation;

• Capacity building, and

• Institutional reforms.

The HPRB appreciated the significant progress achieved by the Brahmaputra Board over the past two years in strengthening integrated river basin planning and expanding technical support across the North Eastern Region and West Bengal.

Officials highlighted that the Board is increasingly adopting modern scientific and technological approaches for better river management and disaster mitigation.

Advanced Technologies to Support River Basin Planning

One of the major areas of discussion was the preparation and updation of river basin masterplans using advanced technologies such as:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS);

• Remote sensing;

• LiDAR mapping, and

• Hydrological modelling.

The Board informed the meeting that a total of 76 river basins and sub-basins have now been identified for preparation and updation of comprehensive masterplans covering the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems.

Experts said these advanced technologies would improve flood forecasting, erosion management, drainage planning and sustainable water resource management.

Flood and Erosion Management Projects Reviewed

The HPRB also reviewed several ongoing and proposed projects related to:

• Flood management;

• Anti-erosion works;

• Drainage development;

• Springshed management, and

• Water conservation initiatives.

Major interventions are currently being implemented in:

• Assam;

• Meghalaya;

• Mizoram;

• Manipur;

• Nagaland, and

• Tripura

in coordination with respective state governments.

The North Eastern Region has historically faced severe flood and river erosion challenges, particularly in the Brahmaputra basin, making these projects strategically important for infrastructure protection, agriculture and livelihoods.

Brahmaputra Board to Transform into Modern River Basin Organisation

The meeting also discussed plans to transform the Brahmaputra Board into a modern, technology-driven and knowledge-based River Basin Organization (RBO).

Policy guidance was provided on:

• Organisational restructuring;

• Strengthening specialised technical units;

• Improving digital governance systems;

• Enhancing institutional coordination, and

• Increasing transparency and efficiency.

Officials said the transformation would allow the Board to function more effectively in managing complex river basin challenges associated with climate change, flooding, water security and ecological sustainability.

NEHARI Revitalisation Plan Discussed

The HPRB further reviewed a proposed revitalisation plan for the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute (NEHARI).

The plan aims to strengthen:

• Hydraulic research;

• Technical consultancy services;

• Capacity-building programmes, and

• Scientific studies related to water resources and river systems.

Discussions were also held regarding redevelopment of the Brahmaputra Board Office Complex at Basistha, Guwahati into a modern institutional campus equipped to meet future operational and research requirements.

Traditional Water Management Practices Highlighted

As part of the programme, several books and documentaries documenting indigenous water management systems of North East India were officially released.

The publications included:

Resource and Picture Books

• Traditional Water Management Practices of Northeast India – Resource Book

• Traditional Water Management Practices of Northeast India – Picture Book

Documentaries

• Paddy-cum-Fishery (Arunachal Pradesh)

• Dong System (Assam)

• Bamboo Drip Irrigation (Meghalaya)

• Rainwater Harvesting (Mizoram)

The HPRB appreciated the Brahmaputra Board's efforts to preserve and document indigenous and sustainable water management knowledge from the region.

Integrating Traditional Knowledge with Modern Science

The Board emphasised the importance of combining traditional community-based water systems with modern river basin management approaches.

Experts noted that many indigenous systems in the North East have historically provided sustainable solutions for irrigation, water conservation and ecosystem management.

The integration of traditional practices with modern scientific planning is expected to improve climate resilience and promote sustainable water governance across the region.

Focus on Long-Term Water Security

The meeting underscored the growing importance of integrated river basin management in the face of climate change, increasing flood risks, environmental degradation and rising water demand.

Officials said the Brahmaputra Board's future roadmap would focus on:

• Sustainable water resource management;

• Climate resilience;

• Scientific river basin planning;

• Disaster risk reduction, and

• Community participation.

The initiatives are expected to strengthen long-term water security and support sustainable socio-economic development across the North Eastern Region.