Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India faces significant water stress, with uneven distribution of resources across the country. While some regions are flood-prone, others grapple with chronic drought. The National Perspective Plan (NPP), formulated in 1982, envisioned a nationwide network of interlinking of rivers (ILR) to address this imbalance. The project aims to transfer water from water-surplus basins to water-deficit basins. The Ganga-Cauvery link, a crucial component of the NPP, proposes to divert surplus water from the Ganga basin to the Cauvery basin, aiming to alleviate water scarcity in South India and enhance irrigation potential. This ambitious project, however, is fraught with ecological and socio-economic challenges.
Understanding River Linking in India
The Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) program is categorized into Himalayan and Peninsular Components. The Himalayan component focuses on constructing storage on the Himalayan rivers and diverting water to the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins. The Peninsular component, where the Ganga-Cauvery link falls, involves linking rivers within the peninsula through canals and diversions.
The Ganga-Cauvery Linkage Canal: Details
The Ganga-Cauvery link is a complex project involving multiple stages. It proposes to divert water from the Ganga river in Bihar to the Pennar river basin, ultimately reaching the Cauvery basin in Tamil Nadu. The key components include:
- Ganga (Part-II) Canal: A 225 km long canal to divert water from the Ganga near Bhagalpur, Bihar.
- Southern Bypass Canal: A canal to bypass the Sone river basin.
- Parbati-Kosi-Mechi Link Canal: Connecting the Parbati, Kosi, and Mechi rivers.
- Pennar River Link: Transferring water to the Pennar basin.
The project is estimated to cost around ₹60,000 crore (as of 2023, based on knowledge cutoff) and is being implemented by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
Relevance of the Ganga-Cauvery Linkage
Addressing Water Scarcity
The Cauvery basin, particularly Tamil Nadu, frequently faces water shortages, leading to inter-state disputes. The Ganga-Cauvery link aims to provide a reliable water source for irrigation, drinking water, and industrial use in the region. According to a 2019 report by the Central Water Commission, the average annual water availability in the Cauvery basin is significantly lower than the demand.
Enhancing Irrigation Potential
The project is expected to create additional irrigation potential of approximately 10 lakh hectares in the drought-prone areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This will boost agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Boosting Hydroelectric Power Generation
The canals and reservoirs associated with the project can be utilized for generating hydroelectric power, contributing to the country’s energy security.
Reducing Regional Imbalances
The project aims to reduce regional imbalances in water availability, promoting equitable distribution of this vital resource.
Challenges and Concerns
- Ecological Impacts: Diversion of water from the Ganga could affect its ecological flow, impacting the river’s biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities dependent on it.
- Inter-State Disputes: The project involves multiple states, and securing their consensus is crucial. Disagreements over water sharing can hinder its implementation.
- Financial Constraints: The project is highly capital-intensive, and securing adequate funding is a major challenge.
- Land Acquisition: Acquiring land for canals and reservoirs can be a complex and time-consuming process, often leading to social unrest.
- Seismic Activity: The region is prone to seismic activity, which could damage the infrastructure.
Current Status
As of late 2023, the Ganga-Cauvery link project is in the planning and preliminary stages. Detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared, and environmental clearances are being sought. The project has faced delays due to various factors, including environmental concerns and inter-state disagreements. The Ken-Betwa link project is being implemented as a pilot project to gain experience and address challenges before proceeding with larger projects like the Ganga-Cauvery link.
Conclusion
The Ganga-Cauvery river linkage holds significant potential to address water scarcity and enhance irrigation in South India. However, its implementation requires careful consideration of the ecological impacts, inter-state concerns, and financial constraints. A holistic and integrated approach, involving all stakeholders and prioritizing environmental sustainability, is essential for the successful completion of this ambitious project. A phased implementation, starting with smaller, less controversial links, could build confidence and pave the way for larger projects like the Ganga-Cauvery link.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.