River linking projects get new push

In this article, the author reflects on the implication of the Centre's decision to set up a special authority to focus on the interlinking of rivers.

Hyderabad:The Centre has once again focused on the interlinking of rivers. It has decided to set up a special authority for this purpose. A special meeting is to be held on 26th February to discuss the progress of water projects.

Previously, the river interlinking projects entailed a 60:40 funding, that is, 60 percent Union Government and 40 percent State Governments. Currently, the funding has been changed to 90:10 basis. This applies not only to the interstate projects but also to the interlinking of two rivers within the same state. The Centre explained that the creation of a separate authority would enable funding from international financial institutions and banks.

The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) is the overseeing authority for river linkage. This agency monitors all aspects of the project such as setting up special committees with experts, preparing comprehensive project reports, consultations with states and getting required approvals.

Considering the workload and importance of raising funds, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has decided to set up the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA). In October 2019, the NWDA has sent a draft bill regarding the same to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The concerned officials of the department said that the final report has been prepared with few changes and that the department would come into action once the cabinet gives its final nod.

The Centre has sent an alternative comprehensive report to the participating states, taking into consideration the views of respective states on the Godavari-Kaveri river linking project.

It depends on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for transferring the water from Odisha’s Mahanadi to the Godavari.

Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have already expressed their views on the proposed project while Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh are yet to agree. All these points will be discussed in the meeting scheduled to be held on February 26. Due to the delays in water diversion from Mahanadi, the NWDA has sought the opinion of states for another project to be constructed across Janapeta in Telangana and diverting 247 TMC to Kaveri but no state has responded to this proposal yet.

The NWDA has prepared a preliminary report based on the proposal made by Karnataka as a part of interlinking two rivers within the same state. This scheme was proposed to divert water to the Tungabhadra project and release it for Raichur district. The plan is to construct two dams in Pattanadahalli and Shalamalahalli as a part of the Bedti-Varda interlinking project and divert 9 TMC water to the Tungabhadra project, release it through the right canal to Raichur district. Maharashtra has also proposed a project across the river Godavari.