Ken-Betwa River Linking Project: Key Facts for UPSC Preparation

Introduction

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP) on December 25, coinciding with the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
•  This ambitious project is part of India’s long-standing plan to address water scarcity, especially in the Bundelkhand region, which has been plagued by chronic droughts. 
• However, the project has sparked concerns related to environmental degradation, wildlife displacement, and the challenges of rehabilitation, all of which warrant a careful examination.

What is the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP)?

• The KBLP aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna. The project involves the construction of a 221-km-long canal, which will include a 2-km tunnel. The project’s objectives are vast and include:
  • Providing irrigation to 10.62 lakh hectares of land (8.11 lakh ha in Madhya Pradesh and 2.51 lakh ha in Uttar Pradesh).
  • Supplying drinking water to 62 lakh people.
  • Generating 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.
• This initiative is the first step in the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking India’s rivers, a proposal that has been in place since 1980 and involves 16 peninsular and 14 Himalayan river links.

The National River Linking Project (NRLP)

• The National River Linking Project (NRLP), originally known as the National Perspective Plan, is an ambitious proposal that aims to connect 14 Himalayan and 16 peninsular rivers with 30 canals and 3,000 reservoirs to create a vast South Asian Water Grid. The idea of interlinking India’s rivers dates back to 1858 when British irrigation engineer Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton first proposed it.
• The NRLP consists of two main components:
  • Himalayan Component: Under the Himalayan Rivers Development Component of the NPP, 3 link projects, viz; Kosi-Mechi Link project , Kosi-Ghaghra link project and Chunar-Sone Barrage link project envisage transfer of water from Kosi, Ghaghra and Gandak rivers flowing down from Nepal to the other rivers in the State of Bihar.,
  • Peninsular Component: This aims to link rivers in South India, with notable proposals such as Interlinking of Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery, Interlinking of West Flowing Rivers, North of Bombay and South of Tapi, Inter-linking of Ken with Chambal and Diversion of West Flowing Rivers.
• The National Water Development Agency (NWDA), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is responsible for overseeing the project, which is now under consideration for further expansion with the creation of the National River Interlinking Authority (NIRA).

Historical Context: Previous River-Linking Initiatives

• India has seen some smaller river-linking projects before. For instance:
• The Periyar Project (1895): This project transferred water from the Periyar basin to the Vaigai basin in Tamil Nadu.
• Godavari-Krishna Interlinking (2015): This formal project linked the Godavari and Krishna rivers at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

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Advantages of River Interlinking

• Addressing Hydrological Imbalance: India faces significant hydrological disparities, with some regions experiencing severe floods while others suffer from droughts. 
  • For instance, Bundelkhand has been in a recurring drought cycle for several years, with rainfall deficits of up to 40% in some years. 
  • Interlinking rivers, such as the Ken-Betwa link, can transfer water from surplus areas like the Godavari basin to water-deficient regions like Bundelkhand, helping to mitigate droughts and floods. This would ensure more uniform water distribution across the country.
• Improved Inland Waterways: The interlinking of rivers will facilitate the development of inland waterways, creating a network of navigable routes for transporting goods. The National Waterways Act, 2016, already identifies 111 national waterways in India, of which only a few are operational. Projects like the Godavari-Krishna interlinking have shown the potential to reduce transportation costs by up to 30% compared to road transport. The Ken-Betwa project could further enhance these initiatives, creating more efficient logistics for agricultural and industrial products, thereby promoting economic growth. 
• Boost to Irrigation: The interlinking project could provide irrigation to up to 35 million hectares, particularly in the water-scarce western peninsular region. A notable example is the Narmada Valley Project, which irrigated approximately 1.5 million hectares of land in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Similarly, the Ken-Betwa link will benefit regions such as Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, increasing agricultural productivity. This boost to irrigation can raise crop yields, particularly for water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane, leading to higher farm incomes and employment opportunities. 
• Hydropower Generation: Interlinked rivers have the potential to generate significant amounts of hydropower. For example, the Sardar Sarovar Dam, part of the Narmada project, generates over 1,000 MW of power. The NRLP could generate up to 34 GW of hydropower, comparable to the capacity of several large thermal power plants. This renewable energy could significantly reduce India’s reliance on coal-based power plants, which account for nearly 60% of the country’s electricity production, helping India meet its renewable energy targets under the Paris Climate Agreement.
• Drinking Water Supply: The interlinking of rivers promises to provide 90 billion cubic meters of drinking water, addressing the severe water scarcity in urban and rural areas. Cities like Chennai and Bangalore face acute water shortages, where residents rely on water tankers due to depleting groundwater levels. Projects like the KBLP, which will supply drinking water to 62 lakh people, can help resolve such crises by providing a reliable and sustainable water source. This could also reduce the need for costly water imports and improve public health. 
• Industrial Growth: With 64.8 billion cubic meters of water allocated for industrial use, the NRLP can significantly boost industrial growth, particularly in water-intensive industries like textiles, chemicals, and food processing. For example, the industrial growth in Gujarat’s textile sector has been closely tied to water availability from irrigation and river systems. By ensuring a steady supply of water, the interlinking project can provide a competitive edge to industries in water-scarce regions, fostering job creation and boosting India’s manufacturing capabilities. 
• Environmental Benefits: The river interlinking projects could have several environmental benefits, such as stabilizing water availability and protecting wildlife. For instance, the Chambal River, home to the critically endangered gharial crocodile, has suffered from fluctuating water levels due to seasonal droughts. Interlinking rivers can help stabilize water flows, preventing extreme conditions that disrupt ecosystems. Additionally, by ensuring consistent water levels, it could reduce the incidence of forest fires, which are exacerbated by prolonged dry spells, especially in states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. 
• Waterline Defence: In the face of climate-related challenges, water security can act as an additional line of defense. For example, during the 2019 floods in Kerala, excess water from the Periyar River was managed through controlled releases from reservoirs, helping to mitigate disaster impacts. Similarly, a well-managed interlinked river system could offer India a strategic advantage, particularly in drought-prone areas, by ensuring a stable water supply. This could play a critical role in disaster management and enhance resilience to climate change-induced water stress, which is projected to worsen in the coming decades.

Challenges and Concerns with River Interlinking

• Climate Change Impacts: Climate change is expected to significantly alter water availability in the Himalayan region. Glacial melt in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, which supplies water to rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus, is already causing shifts in river flow patterns. A study by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) predicts that one-third of glaciers in the region could melt by 2100. This would reduce the water available for interlinking projects like the NRLP. Furthermore, changes in rainfall patterns could result in less predictable water flow, making the long-term viability of the NRLP uncertain. As seen during the 2015 drought in the Ganga basin, unpredictable water availability can exacerbate regional disparities, undermining the success of large-scale water transfer initiatives.
• Displacement of People: The implementation of the NRLP could displace thousands of people, especially vulnerable tribal and rural communities. For example, the Sardar Sarovar Dam, part of the Narmada project, displaced over 40,000 families. Similarly, the KBLP could impact communities living in remote, forested areas of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Displacement typically leads to loss of livelihoods, especially for communities dependent on agriculture and forest resources. 
• High Financial Costs: The NRLP is a highly capital-intensive project. In 2001, the estimated cost of linking the Himalayan and peninsular rivers was Rs 5.6 lakh crore, excluding rehabilitation costs. The financial feasibility of such an extensive project is increasingly questioned, especially given the rising costs of construction, environmental protection, and land acquisition. 
  • The World Bank has raised concerns over the economic efficiency of such mega-projects, noting that the returns may not justify the massive investments, particularly in the face of competing needs such as healthcare, education, and rural infrastructure development. 
  • Additionally, the growing fiscal deficit and inflationary pressures in India may further strain the economic sustainability of the project.
• Ecological and Biodiversity Concerns: Interlinking rivers could disrupt the delicate balance of river ecosystems. Rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Ganga are home to unique species, and altering their flow patterns could affect local biodiversity. The construction of dams and canals may interfere with aquatic life, such as migratory fish species, whose natural habitats rely on seasonal flow changes. 
  • A report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) suggests that interlinking could exacerbate pollution levels by mixing cleaner rivers with more polluted ones, thus affecting water quality.
  •  For instance, the Chambal River, which supports the critically endangered gharial crocodile, could face ecological disruption if water from more polluted rivers is redirected into its flow.
• International Ramifications: The NRLP could have far-reaching impacts on India’s relations with neighboring countries, particularly Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Bangladesh, which shares the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, has expressed concerns over the diversion of water to India’s southern states. The diversion could reduce water flow to Bangladesh, affecting agriculture and livelihoods in the country. 
  • The 1996 Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh limits the amount of water India can take from the Ganga, and the NRLP could potentially violate this agreement, straining diplomatic relations.
  •  Similarly, Nepal, which shares several Himalayan rivers with India, may raise concerns over the impact of water diversions on its own agricultural systems, especially in areas like the Koshi River basin.
• Inter-State Disputes: Water is a state subject under the Indian Constitution, and the success of the NRLP hinges on cooperation between states. In India, states like Kerala, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh have expressed opposition to the NRLP, citing concerns about the equitable distribution of water resources.
  •  For example, Kerala has opposed the diversion of water from the Mahanadi river, fearing that it would affect its own water needs. 
  • Similarly, disputes over sharing the waters of the Cauvery, Krishna, and Godavari rivers between states have led to decades of legal and political battles. 
  • The lack of consensus on water-sharing agreements among states poses a major challenge to the successful implementation of the NRLP.
• Infrastructural Challenges: Constructing the massive canal systems required for river interlinking presents significant technical and infrastructural challenges. The canals themselves would span thousands of kilometers, requiring intricate engineering solutions to ensure water flow without sediment buildup. 
  • For example, the Grand Canal of China, a similar interlinking project, has faced challenges related to sedimentation and water loss over long distances. In India, maintaining the canal infrastructure, ensuring proper irrigation, and preventing erosion will require constant monitoring and substantial investment. 
  • Additionally, the acquisition of large tracts of land for canal construction and clearing of forests poses another hurdle. 
  • In states like Madhya Pradesh, which have significant forest cover, acquiring land for such a project may lead to conflicts with local communities, environmental groups, and forest conservation advocates.

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 Way Forward

• Efficient Utilisation of Existing Resources: India must focus on integrated water resource management, prioritizing the efficient use of available water resources and minimizing wastage.
• Groundwater Management: Protecting groundwater recharge areas, regulating groundwater extraction, and promoting artificial recharge could provide a sustainable solution to India’s water woes.
• Virtual Water: India can save significant amounts of water by importing water-intensive products like wheat instead of producing them locally, thus reducing the pressure on domestic water resources.
• National Waterways Project (NWP): Instead of focusing on large-scale river interlinking, experts suggest developing a National Waterways Project. This would create a network of navigable waterways, offering significant advantages in terms of water transport, irrigation, and hydropower generation with lower land requirements and environmental impacts.