Linking of Rivers

India has 18% of world population, and only 4% of water resources. The river is an integral part of human settlements, their lives, landscape, society, culture, history and religion. Draught, flood and shortage of drinking water etc. has led to the idea of inter-linking the rivers.

Merits of Linking:

1. Large water resources are unevenly distributed so waters can be managed.
2. Flood Control by creating dams, reservoirs, etc possible
3. Power generation is possible, by mini – hydro plants and solar plants floating of surface waters.
4. Employment generation, growth in Inland waterways.
5. It would create employment opportunities through fishing ground creation

Demerits:

1. By spending 50 % of GDP it can take 10 – 15 years in completion, so it will make water more costly.
2. Interlinking of rivers may give rise to interstate disputes and given the highly political nature of such disputes it seems very difficult
3. Loss of agricultural land
4. Deforestation
5. Submergence of habitable or reserved lands
6. Loss of biodiversity as the project passes through critical areas.
7. Thousands of acres land acquisition is practically impossible, it can create human re-settlement issues, and loss of cultural habitats.
8. Bangladesh is required to give its consent in order to make this feasible. Therefore all efforts needs to be taken to take Bangladesh into confidence for viability of this project.

So, though Supreme Court has ordered to inter-link rivers, and government is showing interest in it, I shall suggest to take enhanced water conversations measures instead of going forward with river – linking project.

China has successfully attempted to divert water from one river to another. China’s assistance can be sought for this project. A proper mechanism such as a task force led by PM and CMs of respective states can be devised to accommodate all views. Funds from Private sector can be garnered to meet the cost.