INTERLINKING RIVER PROJECT
The interlinking of rivers has two components: the Himalayan component and a Peninsular one. All interlinking schemes are aimed at transferring of water from one river system to another or by lifting across natural basins. The project will build 30 links and some 3000 storages to connect 37 Himalayan and Peninsular rivers to form a gigantic South Asian water grid. The canals, planned to be 50 to 100 meters wide and more than 6 meters deep, would facilitate navigation. The estimates of key project variables - still in the nature of back-of-the-envelope calculations - suggest it will cost around US $ 123 billion (or Indian Rs 560,000 crores, at 2002 prices), handle 178 km of inter-basin water transfer/per year, build 12,500 km of canals, create 35 giga watt of hydropower capacity, add 35 million hectares to India’s irrigated areas, and create an unknown volume of navigation and fishery benefits. Similarly, 3700 mega watt would be required to lift water across major watershed ridges by up to 116 meters. The Fig. 2. River Links under the National Perspective Plan. Source: National Water Development Agency. majority of observers agree that the Project may not be in operation even by 2050.
1. Major advantages of ILR
• Create the potential to increase agricultural production by an additional 100 per cent over the next five years;
• Avoid the losses of the type that occurred in 2002 to the extent of $550 million by the loss of crops because of extreme draught or flood condition;
• Save $ 565215000 a year in foreign exchange by avoiding importing oil;
• Unify the country by involving every Panchayat as a share holder and implement agency;
• Provide for enhancing the security of the country by an additional waterline of defense;
• Provide employment to the 10 lakh people for the next 10 years;
• Eradicate the flooding problems which recur in the northeast and the north every year;
• Solve the water crisis situation by providing alternative, perennial water resources;
• The large canals linking the rivers are also expected to facilitate inland navigation too;
• Increasing food production from about 200m tones a year to 500m;
• Boost the annual average income of farmers, from the present $40 per acre of land to over $500.
2. Major disadvantages of ILR
• Environmental costs (deforestation, soil- erosion, etc.)
• Rehabilitation: not an easy task
• Social unrest/Psychological damage due to forced resettlement of local people (for example, Sardar Sarovar Project)
• Political effects: strained relationship with neighbors (Pakistan, Bangladesh)
The interlinking of rivers has two components: the Himalayan component and a Peninsular one. All interlinking schemes are aimed at transferring of water from one river system to another or by lifting across natural basins. The project will build 30 links and some 3000 storages to connect 37 Himalayan and Peninsular rivers to form a gigantic South Asian water grid. The canals, planned to be 50 to 100 meters wide and more than 6 meters deep, would facilitate navigation. The estimates of key project variables - still in the nature of back-of-the-envelope calculations - suggest it will cost around US $ 123 billion (or Indian Rs 560,000 crores, at 2002 prices), handle 178 km of inter-basin water transfer/per year, build 12,500 km of canals, create 35 giga watt of hydropower capacity, add 35 million hectares to India’s irrigated areas, and create an unknown volume of navigation and fishery benefits. Similarly, 3700 mega watt would be required to lift water across major watershed ridges by up to 116 meters. The Fig. 2. River Links under the National Perspective Plan. Source: National Water Development Agency. majority of observers agree that the Project may not be in operation even by 2050.
1. Major advantages of ILR
• Create the potential to increase agricultural production by an additional 100 per cent over the next five years;
• Avoid the losses of the type that occurred in 2002 to the extent of $550 million by the loss of crops because of extreme draught or flood condition;
• Save $ 565215000 a year in foreign exchange by avoiding importing oil;
• Unify the country by involving every Panchayat as a share holder and implement agency;
• Provide for enhancing the security of the country by an additional waterline of defense;
• Provide employment to the 10 lakh people for the next 10 years;
• Eradicate the flooding problems which recur in the northeast and the north every year;
• Solve the water crisis situation by providing alternative, perennial water resources;
• The large canals linking the rivers are also expected to facilitate inland navigation too;
• Increasing food production from about 200m tones a year to 500m;
• Boost the annual average income of farmers, from the present $40 per acre of land to over $500.
2. Major disadvantages of ILR
• Environmental costs (deforestation, soil- erosion, etc.)
• Rehabilitation: not an easy task
• Social unrest/Psychological damage due to forced resettlement of local people (for example, Sardar Sarovar Project)
• Political effects: strained relationship with neighbors (Pakistan, Bangladesh)
