Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (GS Paper 1, Geography)
Context:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the interstate Ken-Betwa River Linking Project on December 26, 2024.
- This project is a significant step toward implementing the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking of rivers, aiming to address water scarcity and improve agricultural productivity in the water-scarce Bundelkhand region.
Overview of the Project:
The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project involves transferring water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna River. The project aims to address the water shortage in the Bundelkhand region, which spans across 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Key aspects of the project include:
- Ken-Betwa Link Canal: A 221 km-long canal, with a 2-km tunnel, will link the two rivers.
- Phase-I: The first phase will involve the construction of the Daudhan Dam complex and its subsidiary units.
- Phase-II: The second phase will include three components — the Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project, and Kotha Barrage.
The project is designed to be completed over a period of eight years and is expected to provide long-term water solutions to Bundelkhand, improving both water availability and agricultural productivity.
National Perspective Plan for Interlinking of Rivers (ILR):
In 1980, the National Perspective Plan was formulated to develop India’s water resources and address regional disparities in water availability. Under this plan, 30 river link projects have been identified, divided into two main components:
- Himalayan Rivers Development: Focused on building storage reservoirs on major tributaries of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and interlinking canal systems to transfer surplus water from the eastern tributaries of the Ganga to the west.
- Peninsular Rivers Development: Includes interlinking rivers such as the Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery and Ken-Chambal rivers, and connecting the west-flowing rivers in northern and southern India.
The Ken-Betwa link falls under the Peninsular Rivers Development component, which aims to improve water management and agricultural productivity across drought-prone areas in central India.
Significance of River Linking Projects:
- Reduction of Water Scarcity: River linking can help transfer surplus water from water-rich regions to arid areas, addressing water scarcity in dry regions.
- Improved Water Availability for Agriculture: Increased water availability will boost agricultural productivity, particularly in regions like Bundelkhand that are dependent on seasonal rains.
- Flood Mitigation: By distributing excess water during heavy rainfall periods, river linking helps mitigate flooding risks in specific areas.
- Hydropower Potential: The construction of dams and reservoirs creates opportunities for hydropower generation, contributing to sustainable energy production.
- Job Creation: Large-scale infrastructure projects such as river linking create employment opportunities in construction, maintenance, and associated industries.
- Conflict Resolution: Proper interlinking may reduce inter-state disputes over water distribution by ensuring a more equitable sharing of resources.
Concerns with River Linking Projects:
- Ecosystem Disruption: Altering natural river courses and diverting water could harm local ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity and threatening certain species.
- Displacement of Communities: The construction of dams, reservoirs, and canals may displace local populations, causing social and economic challenges for those affected.
- Inter-State Disputes: River interlinking projects often involve multiple states, leading to disagreements over water sharing, which could spark inter-state conflicts.
- Financial Viability: The high cost of constructing large-scale infrastructure can lead to financial challenges, with some projects exceeding budget estimates.
- Seismic Risks: The construction of large dams in seismic zones may heighten the risk of earthquakes and their impacts on the infrastructure.
- Maintenance Issues: Neglecting the maintenance of interlinking systems can lead to failures, with significant environmental and economic consequences.
- Community Resistance: Local communities and environmental activists may oppose the projects due to concerns about environmental damage, loss of livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
Conclusion:
- While river linking projects like the Ken-Betwa Link offer significant potential for addressing water scarcity and improving agricultural output, they also come with substantial ecological, social, and financial risks.
- Successful implementation requires careful planning, transparent decision-making, and active community engagement.
- Environmental impact assessments and sustainable water management practices are crucial to ensure that the benefits outweigh the negative consequences.
