Lok Sabha Question No. 3807 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-23
Subject: Inter-linking of Godavari-Cauvery Rivers
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3807

ANSWERED ON 23.03.2023

## INTER-LINKING OF GODAVARI-CAUVERY RIVERS

## 3807. SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government in concurrence  with the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has decided to come up with the plan to link Godavari-Krishna-Penna-Cauvery rivers;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the lack of consensus in this respect is causing delays in the said projects;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the details of the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to resolve the same?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a)  &  (b) Government  of  India  formulated  a  National  Perspective  Plan  in  1980  and  National  Water Development Agency (NWDA) has been entrusted with the work of Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) under the NPP. Godavari - Krishna - Pennar - Cauvery link project is among the 30 link projects identified under the NPP. As envisaged under the NPP, Godavari is to be augmented by transfer of surplus waters from Mahanadi and Brahmaputra basins, for further diversion of waters to Krishna, Pennar and Cauvery basins.

The Government of India is making concerted efforts in consultation with the party States, for the implementation of this link project. Pending consensus on Mahanadi-Godavari and Godavari (Inchampalli)-Krishna  link  projects,  alternative  studies  to  divert  surplus  waters  available  in  Godavari basin and unutilized waters in Indravati sub-basin of Godavari basin through Godavari - Cauvery link project  were  carried  out  by  the  NWDA.  The  Godavari  (Inchampalli)-Cauvery  (Grand  Anicut)  link comprises three links, viz; Godavari (Inchampalli) -Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) link, Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) - Pennar (Somasila) link and Pennar (Somasila)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link. This link project traverses through Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Palar and Cauvery basins and lies in the States of  Telangana,  Andhra  Pradesh  and  Tamil  Nadu.  The  link  project  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the priority link projects. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Godavari (Inchampalli)-Cauvery (Grand

Anicut) link project was completed by NWDA in consultation with the party States. The link project is envisaged for diversion of 7,000 Million Cubic Metres (MCM) of water annually from Godavari basin to Krishna, Pennar and Cauvery basins for  providing annual irrigation of 9.44 lakh hectares.

(c) Does not arise.

(d) to (f) Regarding the Godavari (Inchampalli)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link project, the party States have raised concerns related to surplus waters availability in Godavari basin and quantum of allocation of waters to the States. The issue have been deliberated in the consultation meetings with party States and also in the meetings of NWDA Society and Special Committee on Interlinking of Rivers held on 13.12.2022.

Based on decisions taken during the consultation meeting held on 18.02.2022, an alternative study has been carried out by NWDA to recast the proposal limiting the transfer from 7,000 MCM to about 4,000 MCM from Godavari (unutilized water in Indravati sub-basin) along with combining the proposal for supplementation in Krishna basin through Bedti-Varda link. Technical Feasibility Report (TFR) of this  proposal  has  been  completed  and  circulated  to  the  party  States  in  January,  2023.  The  concerns raised  by  the  party  States  on  the  link  project  have  also  been  deliberated  with  the  party  States  in  the meeting of Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers held on 06.03.2023.

The implementation of the ILR link projects depends upon the party States to reach a consensus.

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