Lok Sabha Question No. 3672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-24
Subject: Inter-linking of Rivers in Chattisgarh
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3672

ANSWERED ON 24.03.2022

## INTER-LINKING OF RIVERS IN CHATTISGARH

## †3672.  SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the details and the current status of the proposal for inter-State linking of rivers in Chhattisgarh under the Inter-Linking of Rivers (ILR) programme;

(b)  whether  the  said  programme  is  being  implemented  with  the  consent  of  the  States  on  the  principle  of unanimity;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for delay in the said programme; and

(d) whether any steps are being taken to check the losses arising from the delay and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

(a) The National Perspective Plan (NPP), prepared in year 1980, envisages inter basin transfer of water from water surplus river basins, where there is flooding, to water deficit basins, where there is drought / scarcity of water. After carrying out the studies, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has identified surplus and deficit river basins for proposal of link canals  for  transfer  of  water.  30  links  (16  under  Peninsular  Component  &  14  under  Himalayan  Component)  have  been identified for preparation of Feasibility Reports (FRs). NPP envisages no inter-State link in the State of Chhattisgarh.

(b) to (d) The ILR programme has been accorded priority by the Government and it is being pursued based on the principle of consensus and agreement among the concerned States. Consultation with the States and review of the progress of ILR projects are  being  carried  out  at  various  platforms.  On  the  direction  of  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court,  a  Committee  known  as  'Special Committee  on  Interlinking  of  Rivers'  was  constituted  in  September,  2014  for  the  implementation  of  ILR  programmes. Nineteen meetings of this Special Committee have been held so far. Further, a Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers has been constituted in April, 2015 and fifteen meetings of the Task Force have been held so far. Efforts have been made for building consensus among the concerned States on water sharing, etc, as the implementation of the ILR projects depend mainly on consensus among the concerned States.

Under  the  NPP,  four  priority  links  have  been  identified  for  preparation  of  Detailed  Project  Reports  (DPRs)  under  the Peninsular Rivers Component viz; Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), Damanganga-Pinjal link project, Par-Tapi-Narmada link project  and  Godavari-Cauvery  link  project.  The  DPRs  of  KBLP,  Damanganga-Pinjal  link  project,  Par-Tapi-Narmada  link project  and  Godavari-Cauvery  link  project  {consisting  of  three  links  viz;  Godavari  (Inchampalli/Janampet)  -  Krishna (Nagarjunasagar), Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) - Pennar (Somasila), Pennar (Somasila)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link projects} have been completed and sent to the concerned States. The DPR of Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundaar link project was also completed and sent to party States.

Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first Inter-linking project under NPP, which is under implementation. A tripartite agreement was signed among the States of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and Central Government for implementation of KenBetwa Link Project on 22.03.2021. The project has been approved for implementation by the Government of India with an estimated cost of Rs. 44,605 crore (at year 2020-21 price level) and central support of Rs. 39,317 crore, through a Special Purpose Vehicle.

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