Hindu Editorial Analysis : 9-January-2025
India’s ambitious river interlinking project aims to transfer water from surplus rivers to areas facing water deficits. While it promises to solve the country’s water scarcity issues, the project is fraught with potential risks, particularly to the environment and society.
Historical Context of River Interlinking
The idea of interlinking rivers in India dates back to the 19th century. Sir Arthur Cotton initially proposed irrigation dams in the Godavari and Krishna river valleys. Over the years, engineers like M. Visvesvaraya and K.L. Rao advanced this concept, culminating in the National Water Grid or the River-Interlinking Project under the Ministry of Water Resources in recent decades.
Current Status and Key Projects
In 2002, the Supreme Court directed the government to complete the river interlinking project within 12-15 years. Managed by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), the project is divided into two components:
- Himalayan Rivers Development: Aims to transfer water from Himalayan rivers to northern and eastern India.
- Peninsular Rivers Development: Focuses on connecting rivers in southern India, transferring surplus water from the Mahanadi and Godavari to regions like Krishna and Cauvery.
So far, feasibility reports for most of the 30 proposed links have been completed. The Ken-Betwa Link Project, the first to be implemented, aims to benefit regions like Bundelkhand and provide irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower.
Need for Inter-Basin Water Transfers (IBWT)
Inter-basin water transfers are crucial to addressing:
- Large variations in rainfall and water availability.
- Reducing water wastage in surplus regions.
- Mitigating potential impacts of climate change.
Benefits of River Interlinking
This project promises several potential benefits:
- Water Availability: Ensures an equitable distribution of water, addressing both floods and droughts.
- Agricultural Productivity: Provides enhanced irrigation facilities.
- Drinking Water Supply: Helps provide reliable drinking water to millions.
- Hydropower Generation: Contributes to renewable energy production.
Challenges and Concerns
However, the project poses several challenges:
- Ecological Imbalance: Altering natural water flows can disrupt ecosystems. For instance, the Ken-Betwa project may affect the Panna Tiger Reserve, leading to biodiversity loss.
- Financial Viability: The project’s high cost, including the ₹45,000 crore Ken-Betwa project, raises concerns about its long-term sustainability.
- Inter-State Disputes: Water distribution is a contentious issue, with states often having conflicting interests.
- Socio-Economic Impacts: The high financial cost of the project may burden taxpayers. The displacement of communities and destruction of cultural heritage sites are significant social concerns.
- Climate Change Impact: Altering river systems may worsen the impacts of climate change, increasing the frequency of floods and droughts.
Environmental and Social Risks
- Displacement of Communities: Large-scale projects may require displacing local populations, leading to social and economic challenges.
- Deforestation and Habitat Loss: Construction of reservoirs and canals can result in large-scale deforestation and loss of habitats.
- Water Quality Issues: Mixing waters from different rivers may lead to contamination, creating health hazards.
Climate Blindspot
Research indicates that river interlinking may exacerbate water stress rather than alleviate it. By disrupting natural water flows, the project could alter monsoon patterns, worsening the very water scarcity it aims to solve.
Why In News
The ambitious river interlinking project in India, aimed at connecting surplus rivers with those facing water deficits, has been hailed as a potential solution to the country’s chronic water scarcity. However, despite being in the works for decades, this grandiose idea is fundamentally flawed and poses significant environmental risks, as it overlooks the complex ecological and socio-economic consequences that could arise from such large-scale interventions.
MCQs about River Interlinking Project in India: A Grand Vision with Significant Risks
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What is the main aim of India’s river interlinking project?
A. To generate hydropower
B. To connect surplus rivers with water-deficit rivers
C. To promote tourism
D. To prevent flooding in cities
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Which river project is the first to be implemented under the National Water Grid?
A. Godavari-Cauvery Link Project
B. Ken-Betwa Link Project
C. Mahanadi-Krishna Link Project
D. Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link
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What is one of the major environmental concerns associated with river interlinking?
A. Increased agricultural productivity
B. Disruption of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity
C. Reduction in water wastage
D. Improvement in water quality
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According to the essay, what is one of the key social concerns related to large-scale river interlinking projects?
A. Creation of new jobs
B. Displacement of communities
C. Improvement of infrastructure
D. Enhanced agricultural production
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