Last Update: June 2025 (River Linking Project )
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River Linking Project
This article deals with the ‘River Linking Project (UPSC notes)’. This is part of our series on ‘Geography’, which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Introduction
- The River Linking Project is a long-pending mega water management initiative of India that aims to transfer water from surplus river basins to water-deficient regions of the country.
- It is being implemented under the aegis of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
History of River Linking in India
| Year | Event |
| British Era | Engineer Sir Arthur Cotton proposed linking rivers like the Ganga and Cauvery for inland navigation. But the idea was shelved due to expanding railway connectivity. |
| 1982 | NWDA formed to study the feasibility of river interlinking. |
| 2012 | Supreme Court gave its go-ahead to the interlinking of rivers. |
| 2015 | First major success: Godavari-Krishna rivers connected. |
| 2024 | Foundation stone laid for Ken-Betwa River Link, India’s first inter-state river interlinking project under implementation. |
National Perspective Plan (NPP)
The NWDA has prepared a National Perspective Plan for interlinking 30 rivers through 30 links, divided into:
1. Himalayan Component – 14 river links
2. Peninsular Component – 16 river links
Benefits of River Linking
- Enhanced irrigation potential across drought-prone regions of India. E.g., the Ken-Betwa link is expected to irrigate 10.6 lakh ha.
- Flood control in surplus regions and drought mitigation in deficit regions.
- Reduce regional imbalance in water availability.
- Adds 35 GW of hydropower capacity by constructing ~3,000 new dams.
- Boosts inland navigation via newly constructed canals.
- Job creation in sectors like construction, tourism, and fishing.
Issues with River Linking Project
Environmental Impact
- Alters riverine ecosystems, flora, and fauna.
- Reservoirs may lead to increased methane emissions (a potent greenhouse gas).
- Interferes with groundwater recharge, potentially drying aquifers.
- Rivers may become seasonal or stagnant due to upstream diversions.
Displacement & Rehabilitation
- The project may displace over 6 lakh people.
- Past examples (e.g., Bhakra and Pong dams) show inadequate rehabilitation.
- Land acquisition remains a major hurdle.
Waterlogging & Salinity
- Canal seepage increases soil salinity — seen in Punjab under the Indira Gandhi Canal Project.
Political & Geopolitical Challenges
- Inter-state disputes: States unwilling to share water, claiming no real surplus.
- Neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Bhutan oppose interlinking due to their dependence on Himalayan rivers.
- Experts fear “surplus today may not be surplus tomorrow” as development, climate change, and industrial use increase.
Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP)
- On 25th December 2024, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, declared as a National Project.
- The project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both of which are tributaries of the Yamuna.
- A 221 km long canal, including a 2 km tunnel, will be constructed for this purpose.
- The project is located in the Bundelkhand region, covering 13 districts across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- As per the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, the project will:
- Provide irrigation to 10.6 lakh hectares of land,
- Supply drinking water to over 60 lakh people in UP and MP,
- Generate 103 MW of hydropower.
Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal–Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC–ERCP)
- Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal–Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC–ERCP), also known as Ramjal Setu Link Project, is expected to channel surplus water of the Chambal river basin for irrigation, drinking and industrial use to 23 districts of Rajasthan, benefitting 3.45 crore people.
- Issue: submergence of 37 sq km in the Ranthambhore tiger reserve effectively cutting it into two sections and constricting the north-south animal dispersal route