India is home to many rivers that are the main arteries of the country supplying water to each and every part. But, in recent times there have been disputes regarding sharing of water and availability of water in the remotest of the corners.
INTERLINKING OF RIVERS PROJECT is one such idea that was first put forth in 1982 and then it was actively taken up in 2002 by the government under ATAL BIHARI VAJPAI.
MISSION :
- To ensure greater equity of distribution of water by enhancing availability in drought prone and rain fed areas.
- To make water available to the most remote area becoming a project of national importance.
Under the NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE PLAN (PPP) prepared by ministry of water resources, NATIONAL WATER DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ( NWDA) has identified 14 links under himalayan rivers component and 16 links under peninsular river components for inyer basin tranfer of water based on feild surveys , investigation and detailed studies.
QUESTION:
Is it a bold step to actually solve the problems due to varying climate of our country and provide water for all or its just like building castles in air and is based on obsolete ideas.
DICHOTOMY
A situation of dichotomy is raised as government claims to have made significant progress with the intial clearance and negotiations so as to kick start the project but experts and critics defer from this view and there are difference of opinions.
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE PROJECT?
- 30 river linkages
- more than 3,000 storage structures
- 15,000 km canal network
- tranfer 174 trillion litred of water every year
- project becomes one of the most daring feat of enjinnering .
PROS
- It will irrigate 87 million acre of farmland approx equal to pakistans area.
- control floods
- generate 34 GW of hyderoelectric power.
CONS
- Concept of surplus and deficit river basins is still left contested which is the heart of rivers linking project.
- IIT have found out that rainfall has decreased upto 10% and rivers which had a lot of water are water deficient such as mahanadi and godavari.
- To make this project possible many national parks , reserves may have to be relocated which is a matter of concern.
CONCUSION
Sharing of water and availablity has been problems for years and also water is a subject in the state list , yet centre is empowered to bring inter state river under its control for national interest and so is this this project in the interest of the nation. The execution would be tough but since the motive behind is extremely beneficial and will benefit the entire country and will act as an entire ecosystem, actions become must.