Interlinking of Rivers Status Issues and Challenges S

Interlinking of Rivers - Status, Issues and Challenges S. Masood Husain Member (WP&P), CWC and Director General, NWDA National Water Development Agency

Proposed Inter Basin Water Transfer Links National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 2

Water Transfer Links PENINSULAR COMPONENT National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 1. Mahanadi (Manibhadra) – Godavari (Dowlaiswaram) 2. Godavari (Inchampalli) – Krishna (Pulichintala) 3. Godavari (Inchampalli) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) 4. Godavari (Polavaram) – Krishna (Vijayawada) 5. Krishna (Almatti) – Pennar 6. Krishna (Srisailam) – Pennar 7. Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) – Pennar (Somasila) 8. Pennar (Somasila) – Cauvery (Grand Anicut) 9. Cauvery (Kattalai) – Vaigai – Gundar 10. Ken – Betwa 11. Parbati – Kalisindh – Chambal 12. Par – Tapi – Narmada 13. Damanganga – Pinjal 14. Bedti – Varda 15. Netravati – Hemavati 16. Pamba – Achankovil – Vaippar 3

Water Transfer Links HIMALAYAN COMPONENT 1. Manas –Sankosh - Tista Ganga 2. Kosi – Ghagra 3. Gandak – Ganga 4. Ghagra – Yamuna 5. Sarda – Yamuna 6. Yamuna – Rajasthan 7. Rajasthan – Sabarmati 8. Chunar – Sone Barrage 9. Sone Dam – Southern Tributaries of Ganga 10. Ganga – Damodar – Subernarekha 11. Subernarekha – Mahanadi 12. Kosi – Mechi 13. Farakka – Sunderbans National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 14. Jogighopa – Tista – Farakka (Alternate) to No. 1) 4

Benefits of ILR Programme (As per NPP) • Additional Irrigation Potential : 35 Mha. due to ILR Program • Hydro-Power Generation : 34, 000 MW • Other Benefits : § § § § § Domestic & Industrial Water Supply Mitigation of Droughts Flood Management Navigational Facilities Employment Generation Fisheries Salinity Control Pollution Control Infrastructural Development Socio – Economic Development National Water Development Agency 5

Priority Links under NPP • Present Status of Priority links and Preparation of Detailed Project Reports under National Perspective Plan (NPP) Link Project States Status of DPR Ken – Betwa Phase II MP & UP DPR completed – April, 2010 MP & UP DPR completed – January, 2014 Damanganga – Pinjal Par – Tapi – Narmada Mahanadi – Godavari Gujarat & Maharashtra Odisha & A. P. DPR completed – April, 2014 Manas – Sankosh – Tista – Ganga Assam, West Bengal & Bihar National Water Development Agency DPR completed in August, 2015 • Alternative proposal presented to Hon’ble Odisha CM on 29. 5. 2015. • Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD&GR) had a meeting with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha on 3 -2 -2016 regarding the project. • FR/DPR to be taken up after consent of Odisha. Feasibility Report under preparation. To be completed by April, 2016. 6

Ken-Betwa Link Project – Phase I • • • The main aim of Ken-Betwa link Project Phase – I is to provide 6. 35 lakh ha irrigation and 49 MCM drinking water supply in the drought prone and backward Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It will transfer surplus water of Ken basin to water deficit Betwa basin besides power generation of 78 MW. Estimated Cost Rs 17, 700 Crores (2015 -16 price level) 77 m high, 2031 m long Daudhan Dam on Ken river in Chhatarpur district of M. P. 221 km long link canal State Wildlife Board, MP has given its clearance to this project. Environmental, wildlife and Forest clearances National Water Development Agency 7 from Mo. EF&CC in advanced stage.

Damanganga – Pinjal Link Project • The Project envisages to provide 579 MCM of water of Damanganga basin for domestic and industrial water supply to Mumbai city. • Project Components § Dams (2 nos. ) § Canal/Tunnel length: o Tunnels connecting Bhugad reservoir - 17. 488 Km with Khargihill reservoir o Khargihill reservoir and Pinjal reservoir - 25. 224 Km • Project Benefits § Domestic & industrial water supply to Mumbai city - 579 MCM § Hydropower - 5 MW • Total estimated cost - Rs. 2746. 61 Crore (2013 -14 price level) 8 National Water Development Agency

Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project • The main aim of Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project is to provide irrigation for 2. 30 lakh ha by transferring 1330 MCM of water from Par, Auranga, Ambika and Purna rivers to water short north Gujarat and Kutch region besides enroute irrigation and hydropower generation 21 MW. • DPR completed in August 2015. • Project Components § Dams (6 nos. ) and Two barrages § Canal (including tunnel) - • Project Benefits § § Annual Irrigation Districts Benefited Surat, 406 Km - 2. 3 lakh ha. - Valsad, Navsari, Dang, Narmada, Bharuch, Vadodara Hydropower - 21 MW National Water Development Agency 9279 Crore Total estimated cost - Rs. 9

Constitution of Special Committee on “Interlinking of Rivers” • The Hon’ble Supreme Court delivered a judgment on 27 -2 -2012 regarding Interlinking of Rivers and directed Govt. of India to constitute a Committee under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister of Water Resources. • Union Cabinet has approved the constitution of the “Special Committee on the Inter-linking of Rivers” on 24. 07. 2014. • The Special Committee has been constituted by the Ministry of WR, RD&GR vide Gazette Notification dated 23. 09. 2014 and eight meetings held so far. • Four (4) Sub-Committees constituted which are meeting regularly for their assigned task. 10 National Water Development Agency

Constitution of Task Force for ILR • Union Cabinet while approving constitution of Special Committee for ILR (SCILR) in its meeting held on 24 th July, 2014 directed that a committee comprising of experts be constituted to look into the issues relating to interlinking of rivers. • In compliance to direction of Union Cabinet, Mo. WR, RD & GR vide O. M. dated 13 th April, 2015 has constituted a Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers (TF-ILR) headed by Chief Advisor, Mo. WR, RD & GR. • The Task Force will assist the Special Committee for ILR and Mo. WR, RD & GR regarding the implementation of ILR programme. 11 National Water Development Agency • Two meetings of TFILR held so far.

Some Important Issues and Challenges National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 12

Lack of Consensus amongst concerned States • Most important challenge in the implementation of ILR. • The States surplus in water resources do not agree to such surpluses • It is difficult to have agreement between donor and donee states as the latter in general demand more water. • The States are apprehensive about disturbing the existing allocation of water as per awards. • Some States have apprehension that link proposals may have an adverse effect on their existing irrigation and power requirements. • Some States are challenging the very definition of ‘Surplus Basin’ agreed earlier. 13 • Efforts are being. National made continuously for obtaining Water Development Agency

Need for Enabling Legal Provisions • Achieving consensus of concerned States for an ILR project is a big challenge. • Many reasons for disagreement. • Consensus only through persuasions and mutual agreements. • Presently no legal provision through which Govt. of India can intervene in this regard. • Most of the river basins being interstate, an appropriate legislation under Entry 56 of the constitution is an option. • Need for detailed deliberation in the matter. • In view of the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment declaring ILR in National interest and directing its implementation, can Apex court be approached for some legal intervention in 14 achieving the desired consensus? National Water Development Agency

Environmental Concerns about ILR Projects • Certain concerns have been expressed regarding the environmental aspects of ILR Projects • Much criticism of ILR Projects is based on fears, apprehensions and pre conceived notions • Very little criticism is based on scientific study or Report. • ILR projects are like other water resources projects. National Water Development Agency

Environmental Concerns about ILR Projects (contd) • Thus, environmental concerns of ILR similar to them. • Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study and Socioeconomic studies done at Feasibility Report and DPR stage. • Environmental Management Plan (EMP) based on EIA study is implemented as a part of DPR. • However, all environmental issues and concerns need to be addressed in a National Water Development Agency

Rehabilitation & Resettlement • ILR projects generally require construction of dam (reservoir) and link canals. • Dam/Reservoir involve substantial submergence. • Canals also require land acquisition. • Thus Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) is an important issue. • To go beyond, New Land Acquisition and R&R Act of 2013. • Need to devise innovative and Attractive R&R package/policy for PAPs so that people themselves come forward and 17

Economic Impact of ILR Programme • National Council of Economic Applied Research(NCAER) carried out a Study of economic impact of ILR programme, based on then TF-ILR(2004) recommendations • NCAER Report of 2008 concludes that ILR programme will : § Increase food grain production growth by additional 2% point over the base line § Increase in employment by about 4% § Cause major impact on employment and growth of cement and steel sector National Water Development Agency

Economic Impact of ILR Programme (Contd. ) § Rs. 10, 000 crore investment in construction sector will result in its growth by 3. 8% § Cost of not doing ILR would be slow growth of agriculture and in the form of Govt. expenditure on account of flood relief and drought mitigation § Reduced poverty in rural areas would also reduce migration of rural poor to urban areas, thus mitigating urban problems. National Water Development Agency

Funding of ILR Projects • ILR Projects require large financial investments. • With more devolutions of funds by Centre to State Govts. , Govt. of India funds are limited. • Available Options : § § Govt. budgetary support Private Sector Participation Public Funding/Participation Funding from Banks and Institutions § Cess and Duties Financial • Need to formulate an innovative and National Water Development Agency

Water and Food Security • Large Storage Projects critical for § Water Security § Food Security § Energy Security § National Security • Per Capita Storage in Water Resources Projects in India is very low • Storage needs to be increased hugely • ILR Projects potentially fill the gap National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 21

R ia s us l A ia azi l a r r t B s u A S U r u T y e k 210 753 1111 1245 1410 1739 1964 3145 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 4733 6103 Per Capita Storage (cubic metre) Per Capita Storage – a comparison a a ia in c co n i i a d i r h f In Sp Mex C A h t u o S National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 22

International Aspects • Main headworks (Dam/barrage) of 6 main Himalayan link projects fall in Nepal (5) and Bhutan (2) Cooperation • Agreement and with nd Nepal Himalayan Component National Water Development Agency

International Aspects (Contd) • India and Nepal / Bhutan would share benefits of § Hydropower, Irrigation and Flood Control • Win-win situation for all three i. e. , India, Nepal and Bhutan. • Scope of accommodating Bangladesh’s requirements on Teesta. • DPRs of Pancheshwar Project – Nepal (Sarda – Yamuna Link) and Sankosh Project – Bhutan (part of Manas – Sankosh – Teesta – Ganga Link) are in advance stages. • Still a greater need of Hydro diplomacy with our two neighbours. National Water Development Agency

Success stories of some important Indian IBWT Projects Name of Scheme Periyar - Vaigai Link (1897) Kurnool - Cudappa Canal [Tungabhadra (Krishna) – Pennar] (1882) Telugu Ganga Canal [Krishna – Pennar] (1983 onwards) 0. 34 Parambikulam - Aliyar Project (1967) 1. 49 Ghagra – Sarda (1974) 15. 16 Madhopur – Beas link [Ravi - Beas] (1969) Beas – Sutlej link (1963) 4. 71 Indira Gandhi Canal Project (1960 onwards) [Beas, Sutlej rivers water to Thar desert of Rajasthan] Sardar Sarovar Scheme (1980 onwards) 11. 60 National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR Water transfer (BCM/ year) 1. 29 2. 68 4. 50 9. 36 25

International Experiences of Inter Basin Water Transfer Name of Scheme Truckee canal (USA) Name of Rivers Truckee, Pyramid lake Year of completion Type of benefits 1906 Irrigation All American canal (USA) Colorado, Imperial Valley California State Water Feather, San Francisco project (USA) Bay area 1940 Central Arizona Project Colorado, Tucson region (USA) 1985 Yellow river to Qingdao Yellow, Qingdao city (China) 1989 Luan River to Tianjing city Luan, Tianjing city (China) 1983 Tone Transfer Scheme Tone, Ara (Japan) 1965 Tagus-Segura(Spain) 1979 Irrigation, Domestic & Industrial Water Supply, Hydropower Domestic & Industrial Water Supply Irrigation, Domestic & Industrial Water Supply, Hydropower, Domestic & Industrial Water Supply Irrigation, Hydropower 26 Tagus, Segura 1973 Snowy Mountain Scheme Eucumbene, Murray 1974 National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR (Australia)

Concluding Remarks • Inter basin water transfers not a new concept. • Large benefits of irrigation, water supply and hydropower in ILR programme. • Building of consensus among concerned States is the most important challenge. • Need for enabling legal provisions. • Environmental and R&R concerns to be addressed appropriately. • Large financial resources required. Innovative Funding mechanism to be evolved. 27

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Need for Inter Basin Water Transfers • • • [IBWT] Large variation in rainfall and available water resources in space and time As a result of this variability, drought and floods co – exist in the country Diversion of water from water surplus basins to water deficit basins/areas Use of the surplus water which is otherwise flowing into the sea unutilized To mitigate likely adverse impact of climate change, short term and long term measures including IBWT projects required National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 29

Proposals for Interlinking of Rivers - Historical Background • ILR is not a new concept • Sir Arthur Cotton’s Navigational Plan in 1850 s - Not pursued • Dr. K. L. Rao’s Proposal of Ganga Cauvery Link and National Water Grid Proposal (1972) • Capt. Dastur’s Garland Canal Proposal (1978) • Above two not found to be techno – economically feasible • National Perspective Plan (1980) - Mo. WR National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 30

National Perspective Plan For Water Resources Development • In 1980, then Ministry of Irrigation and Central Water Commission formulated the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development envisaging Inter Basin Water Transfer comprising of two Components : § Peninsular Rivers Development - 16 links National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 31

Ken-Betwa Link Project – Phase I • Visits/meetings (WR, RD&GR). (Contd. ) by Hon’ble Minister § A meeting of Consultative Committee of Mo. WR, RD &GR was held under Chairpersonship of Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD&GR) on 31. 8. 2015 at Khajuraho (MP) and the Committee also visited proposed Daudhan dam site of Ken – Betwa Link Project Phase - I. § Hon’ble Members of Parliament of the committee appreciated efforts made by Ministry under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD&GR) in pursuing the project for its implementation. § Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD&GR) visited certain command areas of Ken – Betwa link project in MP and UP along with officials of Ministry, CWC and National Water Development Agency NWDA ON 12 -2 -2016. Also made aerial survey of 32

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Damanganga – Pinjal Link Project (Contd. ) • Completion of DPR and submission Maharashtra and Gujarat States to § The DPR of Damanganga – Pinjal link was completed and submitted to Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat in April, 2014. • Techno economic appraisal by CWC § The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) submitted the Detailed Project Report of Damanganga – Pinjal link project to CWC during January, 2015 for appraisal. The appraisal is nearing completion. • Agreement between States of Maharahstra and Gujarat for Implementation § Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD&GR) held a meeting with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra at Mumbai on 7 th January, 2015 to expedite the further course of action on the project. § Efforts are being made to arrive at an understanding and agreement for water sharing in respect of both Damanganga – Pinjal and Par – Tapi – Narmada link projects between Gujarat and Maharashtra. 34 National Water Development Agency

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Par – Tapi – Narmada Link Project (Contd. ) • Completion of DPR and submission Maharashtra and Gujarat States to § The DPR of Par – Tapi – Narmada link project was completed and submitted to Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat in August, 2015. • Sharing of water between concerned States of Maharashtra and Gujarat § The issue of sharing of water and power in respect of Par-Tapi-Narmada link project has been under discussion amongst NWDA, Water Resources Departments, Government of Gujarat and Maharashtra at the official level. § Efforts are being made to arrive at an understanding and agreement for water sharing in respect of both Damanganga – Pinjal and Par – Tapi – Narmada link projects between Gujarat and Maharashtra. National Water Development Agency 36

Existing command of Miyagaon branch canal Sardar Sarovar Ukai Link canal Proposed 6 Initially dams Proposed 7 dams X 37

Mahanadi – Godavari Link Project • Water balance studies reveal that Mahanadi and Godavari basins are water surplus basins. • The combined surpluses of Mahanadi and Godavari proposed to be diverted which shall meet the deficit basins needs in the South up to river Gundar. • Considering huge submergence of Manibhadra Reservoir (approx. 59000 ha. ), NWDA has studied alternative proposals to Mahanadi – Godavari link with minimum submergence and comparable benefits. • Revised preliminary proposal of Mahanadi – Godavari link consisting of Barmul dam with reduced submergence, six storage projects and an Intra State link. 38 National Water Development Agency

Mahanadi – Godavari Link Project • A presentation on revised proposal of Mahanadi – (Contd…) Godavari link was made by a team led by Special Secretary (WR, RD&GR) to the Chief Minister of Odisha on 29. 05. 2015. The link shall deliver about 4100 MCM at tail end 15 Km. upstream of Dowlaiswaram barrage in Godavari. • System simulation studies including water balance studies of Mahanadi-Godavari link have been entrusted to NIH. The study is likely to be completed by February, 2016. • In the meantime, Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD&GR) had a meeting with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha on 3 -22016 regarding the project. A positive response is expected from the State Govt. • Based on the response of the State Govt. , NWDA would take up preparation of Feasibility Report 39 during 2016 -17 to techno – economic Nationalestablish Water Development Agency

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Manas – Sankosh – Teesta – Ganga (M-S -T-G) Link Project • A critical and mother link. • M-S-T-G link envisages diversion of 43 BCM surplus water available in Manas and Sankosh rivers with supplementation from intermediate streams viz; Aie, Torsa, Raidak, Jaldhaka for augmenting the flow of Ganga at Farakka. • Pre-feasibility Report (PFR) of MSTG link was completed in 1996. • As per PFR, about 13965 MCM of water will be available after enroute utilization, in Mahanadi basin for further diversion to south for water short Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery, Vaigai and 41 Gundar basins. National Water Development Agency

Manas – Sankosh – Teesta – Ganga (M-S -T-G) Link Project (Contd. ) • Feasibility Report (FR) as per original alignment could not be completed as Manas-Sankosh-Teesta link was passing through Manas Tiger Reserve, Buxa Tiger Reserve and other forests. • Considering practical difficulties for surveys and investigation in these reaches, NWDA has carried out alternate alignment studies avoiding various reserved forests with about 80 m lift. • Feasibility Report of the Manas-Sankosh-Teesta. Ganga link is under preparation and scheduled to be completed by March, 2016. • Hon’ble Minster (WR, RD&GR) has requested Hon’ble Chief Minister, West Bengal to support the Project Proposal vide letter dated 31 -12 -2015. • The DPR will be taken up in 2016 -17 after getting formal approval from Government of West Bengal and other concerned States for the proposal. National Water Development Agency 42

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Sardar Sarovar Project National Water Development Agency 45

Dowlaisawaram Barrage (existing) for Mahanadi (Manibhadra) – Godavari (Dowlaiswaram) link project Nagarjunasagar dam (existing) for Godavari (Inchampalli) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) link project 46

Srisailam dam (existing) for Krishna (Srisailam) – Pennar link project Almatti dam (existing) for Krishna (Almatti) – Pennar link project 47

Pancheshwar Dam 48

National Water Development Agency, Mo. WR 49