INTERLINKING OF RIVERS AND MAJOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS

1. At a Glance

• Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) is a national programme to transfer water from "surplus" basins to "deficit" basins via storage dams and link canals, under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), 1980 [4][5].
• Implemented by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR [5].
• Examinable for GS-I (geography), GS-II (centre–state, inter-state water disputes) and GS-III (agriculture, environment, infrastructure).

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 05 Feb 2026: Out of 30 NPP links, Feasibility Reports for 26 links and DPRs for 13 links have been completed; Ken-Betwa is the only priority link in implementation stage at ₹44,605 cr with ₹39,317 cr central support [1].
• No NPP link pertains to the UT of Jammu & Kashmir [1].
• Progress noted on Godavari-Krishna, Krishna (Almatti)-Pennar, Bedti-Varada, Netravati-Hemavathi and Ken-Betwa links [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• 1858: Sir Arthur Cotton first mooted river-linking for navigation.
• 1970s: Dr. K.L. Rao's "Ganga–Cauvery link" & Capt. Dastur's "Garland Canal" proposals.
• 1980: Ministry of Irrigation formulated the National Perspective Plan (NPP) with two components — Himalayan & Peninsular [4][5].
• 1982: NWDA set up as a registered society to study NPP links [5].
• 2002: SC in Networking of Rivers, In Re directed time-bound implementation; Task Force on ILR constituted.
• 2014: Special Committee on ILR formed post-Supreme Court directions.
• Dec 2021: Cabinet approved Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) — first NPP link to enter implementation [3].

4. Core Static Facts

• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti (Dept. of Water Resources, RD & GR) [1].
• Nodal Agency: National Water Development Agency (NWDA), a registered society under MoJS [5].
• NPP Components: Himalayan Rivers Development (14 links) + Peninsular Rivers Development (16 links) = 30 links [5].
• Status (as of Feb 2026): PFRs of all 30 done; FRs of 26; DPRs of 13 [1].
• Priority Links (5): Ken-Betwa, Damanganga-Pinjal, Par-Tapi-Narmada, Godavari (Polavaram)-Krishna (Vijayawada), Mahanadi-Godavari.
• Ken-Betwa Link Project: Cost ₹44,605 cr (2020-21 price level), Central Share ₹39,317 cr, target completion March 2030; situated in Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh; affects Panna Tiger Reserve [1][3].
• Polavaram: National Project on Godavari in Andhra Pradesh; declared National Project under AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 [1].
• Constitutional context: Water is a State subject (Entry 17, List II) but inter-state rivers under Entry 56, List I; disputes governed by Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 and Art. 262.

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• KBLP envisages irrigation to 10.62 lakh ha, drinking water to 62 lakh people, and 103 MW hydropower [3].
• Reduces import-dependence on monsoon for Bundelkhand drought belt [3].

Environmental

• Submergence of ~10% of Panna Tiger Reserve under Daudhan dam — biodiversity concern [3].
• Risks: altered sediment flow, deltaic erosion (Sundarbans, Krishna-Godavari deltas), disruption of riverine ecology.
• Counter-view: surplus-deficit hydrology assumptions challenged in era of climate change.

Federal / Legal

• Requires inter-state MoUs (e.g., MP-UP MoA on Ken-Betwa signed 22 Mar 2021) [3].
• Disputes such as Krishna, Cauvery, Mahanadi complicate consent — Art. 262 + Tribunals.

Social

• Displacement: KBLP affects ~10 villages; R&R under LARR Act, 2013.
• Benefits drought-prone Bundelkhand — agrarian distress, migration mitigation.

Strategic / Geopolitical

• Himalayan component involves Nepal & Bhutan (storages on Ganga/Brahmaputra tributaries) — needs bilateral treaties [5].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 05 Feb 2026 (PIB): Updated count — 26 FRs, 13 DPRs completed; KBLP only link in implementation [1].
• 2025: Progress reported on Krishna (Almatti)-Pennar, Bedti-Varada, Netravati-Hemavathi links; DPRs under preparation [1].
• Mar 2024: Foundation stone of Ken-Betwa Phase-I laid; works on Daudhan dam under way [2].
• Aug 2024: MoU signed between Gujarat, Maharashtra & Centre on Par-Tapi-Narmada revival discussions (after earlier shelving in 2022).

7. Prelims Hooks

• NPP formulated in 1980 by the then Ministry of Irrigation [4].
• NWDA established in 1982 as a registered society [5].
• Total NPP links: 30 = 14 Himalayan + 16 Peninsular [5].
• Ken-Betwa = first NPP link under implementation; approved Dec 2021 [3].
• KBLP estimated cost: ₹44,605 cr; central share ₹39,317 cr [1].
• KBLP located in MP & UP; key dam: Daudhan Dam on river Ken [3].
• Polavaram is on river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh; declared National Project under AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 [1].
• As of Feb 2026: 26 FRs, 13 DPRs completed [1].
• No NPP link concerns UT of J&K [1].
• Water disputes adjudicated under Art. 262 + ISRWD Act, 1956.
• KBLP envisages 103 MW hydropower and 10.62 lakh ha irrigation [3].
• MoA between MP-UP-Centre on Ken-Betwa signed on 22 March 2021 (World Water Day) [3].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-I: Geography — Indian river systems, water resources distribution.
• GS-II: Federalism, inter-state water disputes, Centre-State relations.
• GS-III: Infrastructure, agriculture, environment, disaster (drought) management.

Probable stems:

1. "Interlinking of rivers is a tempting but flawed solution to India's water woes." Critically examine in light of Ken-Betwa Link Project.
2. Discuss the environmental and federal challenges to NPP-based river linking. How does Ken-Betwa offer a template?
3. "Surplus-deficit basin paradigm is outdated in the era of climate change." Comment with reference to ILR.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• National Water Policy 2012 — overarching framework.
• Jal Jeevan Mission / PMKSY — convergent irrigation/water schemes.
• Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 & 2019 amendment — adjudication mechanism.
• Cauvery, Krishna, Mahanadi disputes — case studies of federal conflict.
• Polavaram Irrigation Project — separately a National Project.
• Panna Tiger Reserve / Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Ken-Betwa EIA angle.
• National River Conservation Plan / Namami Gange — pollution side.
• CWC (Central Water Commission) — sibling agency to NWDA.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• NPP year is 1980, not 1982 (1982 = NWDA founding) [4][5].
• NWDA is a society, not a statutory body or PSU.
• Polavaram is on the Godavari, not Krishna; the Godavari (Polavaram)-Krishna link is part of Polavaram, not separate [1].
• Ken-Betwa is the first link under implementation, not first to receive in-principle approval (PFRs of all 30 are done).
• Water is on State List (Entry 17) but inter-state rivers on Union List (Entry 56) — aspirants often invert.
• 14 Himalayan + 16 Peninsular = 30 (not 16+14 reversed) [5].