We will form a new Ministry of Water unifying the water management functions to approach the issue of water management holistically and ensure better coordination of efforts. The Ministry will expeditedly take forward the ambitious programme, conceptualized by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for linking rivers from different parts of the country and ensure a solution to the problems of drinking water and irrigation. We will initiate work on this programme by constituting an authority.” — Promise in 2019 BJP Manifesto
According to the research below:
1. Website: Ministry of Jal Shakti Introduction page, Date Accessed: April 10, 2024, “…in re-organization of the Ministries of the Central Government in September 1985, the then Ministry of Irrigation and Power was bifurcated and the Department of Irrigation was re-constituted as the Ministry of Water Resources. On 31.07.2014, the Ministry was renamed as “Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation”. On 14.06.2019, the Ministry was renamed as “Ministry of Jal Shakti”/ “Jal Shakti Mantralaya)” with two Departments i.e. Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.” https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/about-department/introduction/
2. Question No. 1098 (Unstarred), Lok Sabha 17, Session 15, Ministry of Jal Shakti, February 2, 2024, “A National Perspective Plan (NPP) was prepared in the year 1980, for water resources development through inter basin transfer of water, from water surplus basins to water-deficit basins/ regions. Under the NPP, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has identified 30 inter-linking of rivers (ILR) projects (16 under Peninsular Component and 14 under Himalayan Component) for preparation of Feasibility Reports (FRs). Out of the 30 ILR projects identified under the NPP, Pre-Feasibility Reports (PFRs) of all the 30 projects have been completed, while FRs of 24 projects and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 11 projects have been completed.” One ILR project has been initiated: Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP). No ILR projects have been completed. (February 2024)
3. Chauhan et al., September 2023, River interlinking alters land-atmosphere feedback and changes the Indian summer monsoon, Nature.com, “Reduced September precipitation can dry rivers post-monsoon, augmenting water stress across the country and rendering (river) interlinking dysfunctional.” The team included researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.
An evaluation of the research information presented above indicates that
- 30 inter-linking of rivers (ILR) projects were planned in 1980. To date, no ILR projects have been completed. Feasibility Reports have been completed for 24 rivers, and Detailed Project Reports have been completed for 11 projects. Out of 29 projects that have been deemed feasible, implementation of one project has started: Ken-Betwa Link. 1/29 = 3% of the ILR projects proposed have begun implementation. Zero projects have been completed.
- There was already a Ministry of Water Resources in 1985. This ministry was renamed in 2014, and again renamed in 2019.
- The plan for linking rivers from different parts was conceptualized in 1980 under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), and not by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- The IPR project may worsen the water stress across the country, making the interlinking projects ineffective or possibly even counterproductive.
It can therefore be concluded that:
The Government’s objectively verifiable performance indicates no implementation on 96.6% of the Inter-Linking Rivers (ILR) projects; 1 out of 29 ILR projects has begun implementation, zero are complete. Furthermore, a new ministry was not formed, but an existing ministry was renamed. And the ILR projects were conceptualized in 1980 under the National Perspective Plan.
Research
- https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/about-department/introduction/
- https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/1715/AU1098.pdf?source=pqals
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41668-x
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1809267
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2003960
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/telangana-seeks-higher-share-in-godavari-cauvery-link-agrees-to-project/article67522397.ece
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bhopal-news/indias-first-river-linking-project-faces-hurdle-as-govt-gets-no-tenders-for-dam-101706712445852.html
- https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/1715/AU1098.pdf?source=pqals
- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-climate-blindspot-in-indias-river-interlinking-projects/article67371327.ece (Oct 2023)
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