Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India faces a significant water crisis, characterized by spatial and temporal imbalances in water availability. The Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) program, conceived decades ago, aims to address this by transferring water from water-surplus basins to water-deficit basins. The idea gained prominence with the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) formed in 1982. The ILR project envisions a nationwide network of reservoirs and canals to redistribute water, aiming to enhance irrigation, hydropower generation, and navigation, while also mitigating floods and droughts. However, the project remains controversial due to its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.
Feasibility of Interlinking of Rivers
The feasibility of ILR is a complex issue with multiple dimensions.
Ecological Feasibility
- Environmental Impacts: Large-scale dam construction and canal networks can lead to significant habitat loss, altered river flows, and disruption of aquatic ecosystems. The fragmentation of river systems impacts fish migration and biodiversity.
- Forest Submergence: Reservoirs require land submergence, potentially leading to deforestation and displacement of communities. The Ken-Betwa link project, for example, faces criticism for its potential impact on the Panna Tiger Reserve.
- Water Quality: Altered river flows can affect water quality, leading to salinity intrusion in coastal areas and increased pollution concentration.
- Seismic Concerns: Large reservoirs can induce seismicity in certain geological zones.
Economic Feasibility
- High Costs: The ILR project is estimated to cost trillions of rupees, making it one of the most expensive infrastructure projects globally. Cost overruns are a significant concern. (Based on knowledge cutoff 2023, estimates vary widely).
- Land Acquisition: Acquiring land for reservoirs and canals is a challenging and time-consuming process, often leading to social unrest and legal disputes.
- Maintenance Costs: Maintaining a vast network of canals and reservoirs requires substantial financial resources.
- Benefit-Cost Ratio: The economic viability of individual links needs careful assessment, considering the benefits and costs involved.
Technical Feasibility
- Engineering Challenges: Constructing large dams and canals in diverse terrains presents significant engineering challenges.
- Water Loss: Canal networks are prone to water losses due to evaporation and seepage.
- Sedimentation: Sedimentation in reservoirs reduces their storage capacity and requires periodic dredging.
- Inter-State Coordination: The ILR project requires close coordination between different states, which can be challenging due to conflicting interests.
Contribution to Resolution of Water Crisis
Despite the challenges, ILR has the potential to contribute to resolving the water crisis in India.
- Increased Irrigation: Transferring water to deficit basins can enhance irrigation coverage and agricultural productivity.
- Drought Mitigation: ILR can help mitigate the impact of droughts by providing a reliable water supply.
- Flood Control: Reservoirs can store floodwaters and reduce the risk of downstream flooding.
- Hydropower Generation: Dams can generate hydropower, contributing to India’s energy security.
- Navigation: Canals can be used for navigation, reducing transportation costs.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that ILR is not a panacea. Integrated water resource management, including rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and efficient irrigation techniques, is equally important. The focus should be on demand-side management and reducing water wastage.
| Project | Linking Rivers | Status (as of 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Ken-Betwa Link Project | Ken & Betwa | Under Implementation (approved in 2021) |
| Mahanadi-Godavari Link | Mahanadi & Godavari | Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared |
| Parbati-Kalisindh Link | Parbati & Kalisindh | Pre-construction activities underway |
Conclusion
The interlinking of rivers in India presents a complex trade-off between potential benefits and significant environmental and socio-economic risks. While it can contribute to addressing the water crisis by enhancing irrigation, mitigating droughts, and generating hydropower, its feasibility is questionable given the high costs, ecological impacts, and technical challenges. A cautious and phased approach, prioritizing environmental sustainability and inter-state cooperation, is essential. Focusing on integrated water resource management and demand-side measures alongside ILR is crucial for long-term water security in India.
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.