Interlinking Rivers in India

Every year in India, two of the most common disasters in our country are droughts and floods. These are increasingly becoming frequent, thanks to Global Warming. It is we, after all, who are responsible for these catastrophic results. The urge to live a better life has actually harmed our mother, the Earth. Considering all the consequences, the Government of India has started thinking about the advantages of rivers and concentrated on an interlinking project where the interlinking of rivers takes place. 

It comes under Civil Engineering, and the experts working in the project aim to join a number of Indian rivers (which are possible) by multiple canals. This is a reasonable consideration and eco-friendly choice for better and enhanced living; however, there are both advantages and disadvantages of interlinking rivers in India.  

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Introduction to Interlinking of the Rivers in India

As said before, interlinking means the interlinking of rivers through a network of canals and reservoirs. The projection of this idea was first introduced during the British era in India. The primary objective of this project was to reduce the cost of transportation for several raw finished products and other raw materials. Under the supervision of the Indian Government, the National Water Development Agency has the duty to study the approach of interlinking of the rivers under the Ministry of Water Resources. Also, due to the scarcity of water, many states in India have proposed the same. Therefore, the Central Government has come up with several projects to initiate the interlinking process. 

Advantages of Interlinking the Rivers with One Another

There are multiple benefits of interlinking the rivers in India. One of the significant benefits will be witnessed by farmers as they no longer need to depend on the monsoon to proceed with the agricultural process. Even in the case of a severe cloud burst, the water will not accumulate in the particular region and will flow out through the network of canals to distribute the gallons of water. Apart from these major benefits, we have:

1. Southern and Western parts of India can efficiently handle the shortfall of water.

2. The Brahmaputra and Ganga basins bring floods every year. Interlinking these will divert the water to other areas where there is scarcity. So, through these projects, we will be able to control floods along with the scarcity of water. 

3. Interlinking the rivers will help in enhancing the importance of commercial trade lines in the future. The inland waterways will be really helpful for faster movements of goods from one region to another. 

4. Interlinking will open a new occupation for the people who are living around these canals. The canals can also be the primary source of fishing for a particular location.

The India Government is taking it seriously when it comes to no-irrigation facilities, lower water availability, and deforestation. Drinkable water can be provided to the poor sections in our country with greater equity. Interlinking rivers in India will allow many farmers to utilise their land, which is not used due to the crisis of the irrigation system.

Disadvantages of Interlinking the Rivers with One Another

Vast projects are bound to come with impediments. Nature has always shown its destructive mood when humans have tried to intervene. Therefore, if we try to play with the natural flow of the rivers, chances are there to witness catastrophic natural calamities. The construction of canals, dams, and reservoirs included in the project can harm natural vegetation and natural habitat. Apart from these major drawbacks, we have:

1. Interlinking rivers in India will bring a huge amount of distortion in the nearby areas. It can even cause mass deforestation resulting in less than usual rainfall in the area. Impact on rains means affecting the entire cycle of life. 

2. The amount of fresh water that enters the seas will decrease. This can be a severe threat to marine life resulting in major ecological disasters.

3. River linking project in India has a major hurdle as the population here is huge. The creation of canals and reservoirs will submerge the areas, and this will only displace the people living in the area. Therefore, the Government has to spend more on rehabilitation programs.

4. The monetary budget for these projects is immense. It is quite natural that the Government has to take loans from foreign sources. As per the illogical system in India, this means the burden will only be transferred to the common people who are taxpayers. The entire system will therefore fall into the trap of debt.

Case Study

The river linking project in India has basically three components. These are:

• The river Ganga component

• The river Brahmaputra component, and

• The National Water Grid System

The advantages of the Ganga River have been prioritised through this component. It has been projected for pumping out water near Patna and supplying it to the watershed areas between Son and Narmada's rivers channelled through canals. From here, the water will be supplied to seasonal rivers in South India. 

The river Brahmaputra component includes diverting water from Dhubri in Assam to Ganga Near Farakka Barrage in West Bengal. 

The last component is the National Water Grid System. This system plays a major role in the National river linking project. The historical background of this system is notable as it was proposed way before Indian independence. It was initiated by Sir Arthur Cotton. It states to join all 28 rivers in India through 30 canals, which is undoubtedly a mammoth task for Civil Engineers. However, the work is going on, and a number of links have also been completed. 

Achievements Till Date

Interlinking of Rivers has led to Several Achievements as of now, and these are:

• The program, Interlinking of River, has national importance, and special priority is being given to the same. Hon’ble Minister of Water Resources GR and RD is closely monitoring each progression of the project. The mission is to ensure greater equity while distributing the water and enhancing the availability in drought-prone areas.

• The Ministry of Water Resources has prepared the National Perspective Plan (NPP), and it has already identified 16 links in the component of Peninsular Rivers and 14 links in the component of Himalayan Rivers for transferring inter-basin water on field investigation and surveys along with detailed studies. 

• Apart from these, Feasibility Reports of 14 have been prepared under the Peninsular Component, and 2 links have been prepared under the Himalayan component in the Indian portion. Draft Feasibility Reports of 7 links have also been completed under the Himalayan component in the Indian portion. 

Human displacement is a major concern as there is very little chance for rehabilitation programs in India. The overall estimation has been projected, which reaches approximately 15 lakh crore. It is undoubtedly a huge investment for the Indian Government. It is entirely foolish to invest this huge amount with so many risk factors in hand. Interlinking of rivers in India may suppress our country socially and economically. Water disputes in states are bound to lead to social unrest. Experts also state such projects can disrupt the monsoon cycle, and neighboring countries may also intervene in our process due to environmental impacts on their land.