INTERLINKING RIVERS PROJECTS

Prime Minister in December laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Link Project, which aims to solve the water scarcity in the Bundelkhand region.

Origin of the Idea of Interlinking Rivers

Sir Arthur Cotton (19th Century): Proposed inter-basin water transfer for irrigation.
M. Visvesvaraya (Early 20th Century): Advocated river linking to address water scarcity and flooding.
K.L. Rao (1970s): Suggested a National Water Grid for drought-prone areas.
Dinshaw J. Dastur (1980): Proposed Himalayan and Peninsular river links.
National Perspective Plan (1980): Formalized by the Ministry of Water Resources, leading to the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) in 1982.

Components of the ILR Project

Himalayan Rivers (14 Links): Focus on flood control, hydropower, and water transfer.
Peninsular Rivers (16 Links): Aimed at irrigation, drought mitigation, and inter-basin water sharing.

Overview of the ILR Project

The Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) Project transfers water from surplus to deficient basins through canals, dams, and reservoirs. Managed by the NWDA, it aims to enhance water availability, agriculture, and disaster management.

Key Features:

30 river links (14 Himalayan, 16 Peninsular).
Infrastructure includes canals, reservoirs, and hydropower.
Integrated approach for irrigation, hydropower, and industrial/domestic use.
Estimated cost: ₹5.5 lakh crore.

Benefits

Flood and Drought Mitigation: Redistributes water to balance regions.
Agriculture: Expands irrigated land, ensuring food security.
Hydropower: Generates renewable energy.
Economic Growth: Boosts industrial water access.
Waterways: Promotes inland navigation.

Challenges

Environmental Impact: Deforestation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem disruption.
High Costs: Construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation expenses.
Social Issues: Displacement of communities.
Conflicts: Inter-state water-sharing disputes.

Way Forward