(a) whether the Government has initiated the Rivers Linking Project;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has set up consensus groups for the
execution of rivers-linking project;
(d) if so, the details alongwith composition thereof;
(e) whether these groups would resolve the technical issues with
States also;
(f) if so, the details thereof; and
(g) the time by when the entire rivers in the country are likely to be interlinked?
THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI)
(a) to (g) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF THE STARRED
QUESTION NO. 73 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6.12.2004 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING
LINKING OF RIVERS.
(a) & (b) Yes, sir. Two proposals for interlinking of rivers
which have attracted considerable attention were given by Dr. K.L.
Rao in 1972 and Captain Dastur in 1977. These proposals were not
found techno-economically viable. Later, the Ministry of Water
Resources (MOWR) (erstwhile Ministry of Irrigation) and Central
Water Commission (CWC) formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP)
for Water Resources Development in 1980 envisaging interbasin
transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit basins/areas which
comprises of two components namely Himalayan Rivers Development
Component and Peninsular Rivers Development Component. The
Peninsular Rivers Development Component of NPP was discussed in the
Conference of the State Irrigation Ministers held during 1980 and
1981 and were welcomed by all. Seeing the merit of the concept,
National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was set up under the MOWR
in 1982 for carrying out various technical studies to establish the
feasibility of the proposals of NPP and to give concrete shape to
it. Based on various studies conducted, NWDA has identified 30
links for preparing Feasibility Reports (FRs). NWDA has completed
feasibility reports for thirteen links and others are scheduled to
be completed by December 2005. With a view to bringing about a
consensus among the states and provide guidance on norms of
appraisal of individual projects and modalities for project funding
etc., the Central Govt. had set up a Task Force under the
chairmanship of Shri Suresh Prabhu, Member (Lok Sabha) in December,
2002. The Task Force had submitted the required Action Plans to the
Government giving an outline of the time schedule for completion of
feasibility studies, detailed project reports, estimated costs,
implementation schedule, benefits and alternate option for funding
and execution of projects as also suggested methods of cost
recovery.
The National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government
indicates that it will make a comprehensive assessment of the
feasibility of linking the rivers of the country starting with the
southern rivers and this assessment will be done in a fully
consultative manner. After the comprehensive assessment, it has
been decided that river linking programme be continued with a focus
on peninsular rivers.
(c)to(f) In 2002, it was decided by the Governing Body of NWDA
where the States are represented that after preparation of FRs for
the links by NWDA, further discussion with States on water sharing
and Consensus building should be initiated. For this purpose, a
Consensus Group headed by Chairman, CWC with States’ Secretaries
among others as members was formed to arrive at consensus and
resolve the technical issues with various States on a continuous
basis. Consensus Group headed by Chairman, CWC has held number of
meetings in respect of Ken-Betwa link and Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal
link and the outstanding technical issues/reservations were
discussed with the States and were clarified.
(g) Time required to complete construction of inter basin water
transfer links depends upon how fast consensus and cooperation from
the States is available for these river links.