Interlinking of Rivers: Cooperative Federalism is Need of the Hour For Sharing of Water

Inter-basin transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit ones with a view to minimize the regional imbalances and optimally utilize the available water resources has become all the more important looking at the realities on the ground. For that a general consensus and Cooperative Federalism is need of the hour for sharing of Waters. Regional variations in the rainfall lead to situations when some parts of the country do not have enough water even for raising a single crop. On the other hand excess rainfall occurring in some parts of the country creates havoc due to floods. One of the most effective ways to increase the irrigation potential for increasing the food grain production, mitigate floods and droughts and reduce regional imbalance in the availability of water is the Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) from the surplus rivers to deficit areas. Lot of benefits by way of additional irrigation, domestic and industrial water supply, hydropower generation, navigational facilities etc. would accrue.

National Water Development Agency (NWDA) is carrying out detailed surveys and investigations of possible reservoir sites and interconnecting links in order to establish feasibility of the proposal of Peninsular Rivers Development and Himalayan Rivers Development components forming part of National Perspective for Water Resources Development prepared by the Ministry of Water Resources and Central Water Commission. The body is required to prepare detailed project report of river link proposals under National Perspective Plan for Water Resources Development after concurrence of the concerned States.

A price has to be placed on water for the pre-emptive and high priority uses of water for sustaining life and ecosystem for ensuring food security and supporting livelihood for the poor and the principle of differential pricing may have to be retained. Over and above these uses, water should increasingly be subjected to allocation and pricing on economic principles.

Efforts should be made to enter into international agreements with neighbouring countries on bilateral basis for exchange of hydrological data of international rivers on near real time basis. Negotiations about sharing and management of water of international rivers should be done on bilateral basis in consultative association with riparian States keeping paramount the national interests.

The Government at Centre and in the States are aware of issues and challenges that are to be faced ahead to implement the project. There are people for the project and against it. People who have been facing acute water shortages and drought like situations for generations in their region see a ray of hope in this project. There are States apprehensive about the idea of water being transferred from their territory to the other States due to political consideration. Besides, there are independent groups raising their concern about the long-term ecological consequences of the Project.

Barring a few links in Peninsular region, most of the links are dependent on the creation of reservoirs of appropriate sizes at geologically proven sites to store flood waters in the monsoon. Most of these sites are situated outside the country and success of the project would depend on entering into mutually acceptable agreements with our neighboring countries in respect of sharing of costs and the benefits with them.