Why in News?
- At the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mamallapuram, the Union Home Minister emphasised the need to resolve water disputes in southern India and proposed river interlinking from the Brahmaputra to the Godavari and Cauvery as a long-term water security measure.
- The issue gains importance amid disputes such as Pennaiyar and Mekedatu, highlighting challenges in inter-State water management and the debate between large-scale water projects and demand-side conservation measures.
What is the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) Programme?
- About: The ILR programme is a large-scale water management initiative aimed at transferring water from water-surplus basins to water-deficit regions through a network of reservoirs, canals and diversion structures.
- Objectives:
- Improve water security and expand irrigation
- Reduce flood and drought risks
- Generate hydropower
- Support balanced regional development
- Historical Background:
- The idea dates back to the 19th century, with Sir Arthur Cotton proposing river-based irrigation and navigation schemes.
- The concept gained momentum after independence due to concerns over uneven rainfall distribution and recurring floods and droughts.
- National Perspective Plan (NPP):
- Formulated in 1980 by the Ministry of Water Resources.
- Identified 30 major links — 14 in the Himalayan component and 16 in the Peninsular component.
- Executing Agency: The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was established in 1982 to study the feasibility of river-linking projects.
Successful Inter-Basin Water Transfer Projects in India
| Project | States Involved | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mullaperiyar Dam Project | Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Diverts water from the Periyar basin (Kerala) to the Vaigai basin (TN) for irrigation and drinking water; supported agriculture in drought-prone TN regions. |
| Parambikulam–Aliyar Project (PAP) | Kerala and Tamil Nadu | Multi-reservoir inter-State transfer diverting Western Ghats rivers; demonstrates inter-State cooperation. |
| Krishna Water Supply Project | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh | Transfers Krishna water to meet drinking water needs of Hyderabad; addresses urban water shortages. |
| Indira Gandhi Canal Project | Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan | Transfers water from the Sutlej and Beas system to arid Rajasthan; transformed parts of the Thar Desert. |
Arguments in Favour of River Interlinking
- Enhancing Water Security: Transfers water from surplus to deficit basins, reducing regional disparities. E.g., the Ken–Betwa Link Project targets drought-prone Bundelkhand (MP and UP).
- Improving Agricultural Productivity: Additional irrigation potential supports crop diversification and higher farm incomes (e.g., Indira Gandhi Canal in Rajasthan).
- Mitigating Flood and Drought Risks: Diverting excess floodwater to water-scarce regions can reduce the severity of both extremes.
- Supporting Drinking Water and Industrial Needs: E.g., Krishna Water Supply Project for Hyderabad.
- Generating Economic Benefits: Employment, rural infrastructure, navigation and regional development.
- Promoting Integrated River Basin Management: Encourages coordinated planning of water resources across political boundaries.
Arguments Against River Interlinking
- Ecological Concerns:
- Altering natural flows affects aquatic biodiversity, wetlands, sediment transport and downstream ecosystems.
- May disturb fish migration and groundwater recharge.
- Kerala opposed the Pamba–Achankovil–Vaippar Link Project, citing risks to the Vembanad wetland ecosystem.
- Inter-State Water Conflicts:
- Pennaiyar dispute: Tamil Nadu demanded a tribunal over alleged violation of the 1892 inter-State agreement by Karnataka.
- Mekedatu dam proposed by Karnataka faces strong opposition from Tamil Nadu over downstream water availability.
- Federal and Governance Challenges:
- Water management requires strong Centre-State cooperation; the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 suffers from delays in tribunal formation and implementation of awards.
- Social and Rehabilitation Issues:
- Large-scale land acquisition and displacement, particularly of tribal communities; the Ken–Betwa project has faced such resistance.
- Economic and Technical Challenges:
- High financial costs, complex engineering and long gestation periods; continuous maintenance burden.
- Climate Change and Sustainability Concerns:
- Changing rainfall patterns, glacier behaviour and river flows make assumptions of permanent "surplus" water uncertain.
- Overdependence on engineering solutions may divert attention from conservation and demand-side management.
Constitutional and Legal Framework
- Article 262: Provides for adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers and river valleys; Parliament may by law provide for such adjudication.
- Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: Provides the mechanism for constituting tribunals to resolve inter-State water disputes.
- Water as a State Subject: Water (including water storage and irrigation) falls under Entry 17 of the State List (List II), making cooperative federalism essential for river-linking projects.
Way Forward
- Strengthen institutional mechanisms: Implement NRLP/ILR through a scientific, transparent and participatory approach; NWDA should undertake detailed basin-level studies.
- Ensure effective dispute resolution and cooperative federalism: Strengthen mechanisms under the ISRWD Act, 1956 and effectively utilise Article 262 for equitable, cooperative management.
- Adopt a balanced approach: Projects like Ken–Betwa should integrate environmental impact assessments, climate risk analysis and rehabilitation measures.
- Prioritise demand-side water management: Shift towards micro-irrigation, groundwater conservation, rainwater harvesting, watershed management and restoration of traditional water bodies.
- Promote community participation: Involve local communities, farmers and civil society; adopt a basin-based approach involving States, experts and stakeholders.
Conclusion
River interlinking can contribute to water security in selected cases, but it cannot be a universal solution to India's water challenges. A sustainable water strategy must move beyond large supply-side interventions towards conservation, efficient utilisation, groundwater management and cooperative federalism — protecting both rivers and the communities that depend on them.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims (2021): With reference to 'Water Credit' — it applies microfinance tools to the water and sanitation sector and enables the poor to meet water needs without subsidies; it is not a WHO–World Bank initiative. (Answer: 1 and 3 only)
Mains (2020):
- What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan for water conservation and water security?
- Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation systems for judicious use under a depleting scenario.