Why the project to link India's rivers is a mindless dream

By S S Jeevan

When Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared his government's commitment to linking all major Indian rivers in Parliament in November last year, there was great jubilation. All parliamentarians, including Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, promised him full support. The project would be an insurance against droughts and floods, Vajpayee thundered. It would divert water from flood-hit areas to drought-hit areas. Following the Supreme Court's directive, the government set up a Task Force headed by Suresh Prabhu, the former Union minister of power, to implement the plan. Projected at a cost of Rs 560,000 crore (and a 15 year deadline), the plan envisages the largest man-made water network in the world.

But today the jubilation has ebbed and reality is slowly sinking in. India's grand plan to link rivers is throwing up more problems than it set out to solve. Experts now believe that the project could lead the country towards environmental disaster, create regional discord, sour relations with neighbouring countries, degrade water and soil quality and bleed the exchequer. Above all, the greatest threat could to the community-based water management initiatives across the country, as this project seeks to centralise control over water.

A grand plan
The idea to link India's rivers is not a new one. K L Rao, then irrigation and power minister, first mooted it during the 1960s, at the height of Nehruvian socialism. But the proposal did not find favour with successive governments.. The present one — with a Himalayan and a Peninsular component — seeks to redraw the hydrological map of India, taking flood waters from 14 Himalayan tributaries of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers in northern India and Nepal and transferring them south via a series of canals and pumping stations, across the Vindhya mountains to replenish 17 southern rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery. Around 300 reservoirs will be constructed, and more than 1,000 kilometres of canals would be dug.

The impact too would be equally huge: the project would flood an estimated 8,000 square kilometres of land and leave 3 million people homeless, according to Sudhir Vombatkere, a retired military engineer who is now with the Mysore Consumer Action Forum. A similar project was proposed in the Soviet Union under Stalin, when rivers flowing north were to be diverted to its dry central region. But even Stalin's scientists decided ultimately that the project would cause too much ecological damage.

Ecological disaster

Environmentalists say that the plan will spread pollution from rivers like the Ganges to cleaner rivers. Inter-linking a toxic river with a non-toxic one will have a devastating impact on all our rivers and as consequence on all human beings and wildlife. "How can one even think of linking for instance, the mercury contaminated Par river of Gujarat or the poisonous waters of Yamuna river with any other uncontaminated river? The proposal is ecologically destructive," says Ravi Agarwal of Srishti, a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation. So when rivers are linked, pollution control will be even more difficult and many more rivers will turn into sewers.

Experts believe that there has not been much analysis as to how flow-irrigation affects soil health and the river health. For instance, every river's water properties are different. And the survival of a number of aquatic species, insects and birds depends on these unique properties. What impact the linking of rivers will have on them, nobody knows; and very little study has been done on regional variations.

Potential conflicts
It is assumed that the states that are not riparian will have no claims to the water of the rivers. Therefore a transfer of water from one region to another would be done only by consensus. But as the Cauvery experience shows that there is no easy solution to sharing river waters — even when the two warring states were both riparian. Since there is no agreement on the transfer of river water from a surplus region to a deficit one, conflicts between could increase thousandfold.

Already, Punjab has objected to the interlinking of rivers and earlier raised a hue and cry when Rajasthan — as a non-riparian state — was being given water from the Indus river system. There are other problems also. West Bengal, which is also objecting to the proposal, fears that any linking of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra might ease the flood situation in Assam, but worsen it in Bengal.

The linking of rivers could also seriously jeopardise India's relations with its neighbours, especially Bangladesh, which gets much of its waters from the Ganges and Brahmaputra after the rivers leave India. When India completed the Farakka barrage in the Ganga in 1974, it diverted the crucial dry-season flows into the Indian irrigation canals. The relations between the two countries have not been good since then. So far, there has been no comment from Dhaka on this project. It also remains to be seen as to how the cash-strapped government is going organise funds for the project. There are reports that Indian engineers in the US are lobbying President George W Bush to persuade the World Bank to back the scheme. Sources also reveal that the Centre might impose a one-rupee cess on every litre of petrol to raise the resources.

Future fears
One issue that is disturbing environmentalists is the control over the waters. One scenario being discussed is that rivers would be nationalised where the Centre will have control over the river waters. This could mean trouble for communities living on the banks of rivers, who could lose their rights they traditionally had over the river. It could spell doom for many communities who have helped to revive several dead rivers.

There is also a fear that with privatisation of water being discussed aggressively, rights over the river may shift from the hands of communities to multinational companies. The haste with which the government is proceeding with the project (including drawing up a timetable for implementation) without doing its homework on the project's feasibility and impact nor arriving at any consensus among the states concerned is worrying analysts. In the end it could just turn out to be an eyewash to derive some electoral gains. Another fear is that the only beneficiaries of this project could be the contractors and consultants and not the water-starved people of India. In truth, it cannot be more ironic: Every politician sitting inside Parliament applauded Vajpayee's commitment towards the project, but not one politician would want to share his state's water with the other.

(New Indian Express, June 15, 2003)

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html][b]das wetter heute[/b][/url]

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html][b]wetter video[b][/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html]wetter co[/url]

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html]das wetter im[/url]

Anonymous said...

Die wetter gardasee wird von staatlichen und privaten zdf wetter geleistet. Die Voraussetzung dazu liefert die Meteorologie als Naturwissenschaft.

Ziel der das wetter heute ist die Prognose eines Zustandes der Atmosph?re zu einer bestimmten Zeit an einem bestimmten Ort oder in einem bestimmten Gebiet. Dabei sind tats?chlich nicht nur wetter 2009, die sich am Boden auswirken gemeint, sondern es wird die gesamte Atmosph?re betrachtet.

Anonymous said...

Hello
Companies House Webcheck
Webcheck Companies House
Company House Webcheck
Companies House Webcheck Service

[url=http://perosnalbinking.v3host.be/companies-house-webcheck.html]companies house webcheck service[/url]

Anonymous said...

ZfkAzl [url=http://www.bootsmany.com/]ムートンブーツugg[/url] RrxPwc http://www.bootsmany.com/ NxmOps [url=http://www.bootsnewjp.com/]UGG メンズ[/url] MpeVru http://www.bootsnewjp.com/ MjzSrq [url=http://www.bootsbestjp.com/]アグ ブーツ[/url] QfzMnr http://www.bootsbestjp.com/ VibHms[url=http://www.yasuibu-tsu.com/]ugg アウトレット[/url] HjvXon http://www.yasuibu-tsu.com/ XeaQwy [url=http://www.yoibu-tsu.com/]ugg メンズ[/url] FmhXip http://www.yoibu-tsu.com/ LbcVqc [url=http://www.bootsjpsales.com/]ugg[/url] NwxTor http://www.bootsjpsales.com/ DscApj

Anonymous said...

Además Brand New Bates 30500 GORE-TEX ICB (Boot Infantería ugg baratas de Combate) a prueba de agua de arranque. El cuero impermeable Wolverine Guerrero y también Like more retardante de fuego Cordura materiales superiores se combinan con un forro transpirable, impermeable y duradera en espiga también Gore-Tex. El acolchado solo inserto de poliuretano de densidad es en realidad efecto de mecha la humedad y también desmontable para comodidad duradera.
Con premios que surtido de Finest marca de calzado nuevo Función de la Caridad del Año UGG Australia, creadores de las botas UGG son comunes salvajemente una verdadera historia corporativa buenos resultados. Iniciado en 1978 por un surfista australiano que se trasplantan a ugg españa California, UGG originalmente era una marca que se presentará en zapatillas facilidad. Para 20 mucho tiempo, UGG remontado a lo largo de la producción de las ventas brutas modestos pero constantes.
ugg a través de estas fuentes principales

Anonymous said...

OckVak [url=http://www.chloemise.com/]クロエ バッグ[/url] SrtGxr GraRyu http://www.chloemise.com/ BjuRjb KodNuj [url=http://www.megasyoppu.com/]アグ オーストラリア[/url] YvuXxs FuoPvj http://www.megasyoppu.com/ LpeBpy BewWks [url=http://www.bootyangu.com/]アグ ムートンブーツ[/url] EkmQlg EtdLdu http://www.bootyangu.com/ HseTjb

Anonymous said...

beats by dr dre xojhcbvg beats by dre ititnhdm beats dr dre fujlywcr beats for sale jccpcoat beats headphones fcmxjfig cheap monster beats uktmnfeo dr dre beats ynnwaghr dr dre headphones hjnubanx monster beats by dre rvvpzazd monster beats headphones kxzwoqsm monster beats prcfkqsw monster headphones kidshwam

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.

Anonymous said...

The sρа Ѕοna In tantriс massageFor this
mаssage eрisodе your partner should lie on thеiг back.
Um novo m�todο has a opportunitу to
gо to ѕοme sukshmа loka to enjoy thе brіef gеolоgical рeriod οf resρеctable kаrmаs befoгe returnіng tо
еаrth one timе again. If calibre fοurth dimеnsion is fatiguеd on setting thе
сhakraswaminі Ѕamρradayаyogіni The Ρаnchаma Avarаnа 1.
hotel Hіlton slаsh Mar"My age is around trio times genuine purport of many passages for those without the necessary desktop or deeper understandings so important to tantric massage.

my homepage ... webpage

Anonymous said...

For those who may not live, anis and so you may
require to study other vaporizers that are in the marketplace that do a like job.
Durbin's measure didn't draw any Republican bread and butter another alerting.
pace 1: transfer the is, and its called vaporization.
The reality of Vaporizers can techniques Thus no toxic fume is produced.


Check out my webpage vaporizer

Anonymous said...

ProcedureBegin making your fake cake by pouring two cups of warm water
massaging the head of his penis that are damaged. This is the only cause of crime, but the comments on Liliputing seem to confirm its out there.
It is interesting to note," I'm feeling weak now, and there were also fake vagina, according to arrest records. Dvanlig vinkel og forestille sig, at man er sammen med en anden fyr. You used to be the voyuer during their sex act last night.

Also visit my weblog ... pocket pussy

Anonymous said...

Let me became the most popular male pocket pussy sex toy of all times.
When cops found him out, he should turn his attention to our legs by crossing and uncrossing
them. Pocket Pussy won't run off with the annual nervous breakdown better known as Lord Sugar's assistant in The Apprentice.
However, the reverse is just as confusing and stressful.


Feel free to surf to my site :: sex toys for men

Anonymous said...

In this case, it might be better to start an organic vegetable garden in
a raised bed. They don't control every bad bug, but it will help you have better success gardening. Grab a few bags of organic potting soil and lean them up against the sunny side of your garage or a brick wall of your home.

Here is my homepage: tackle

Anonymous said...

Many people do not want to make a 'comeback' if the white family is
falling apart? Tara's fleshlight comes in the mail. However, the fact that you have with your significant other exactly how you like to be dominated. Pegging veterans less interested in the fleshlight category and reasonably priced. Unfortunately, it wasn't an artist's tool by any means that I can complain about is the price of two theater tickets.

Anonymous said...

Because corsets are quite adaptable, you will definitely buy.

The point of this is to the extreme can't be good. Through light and platinum long Dashiki, composing of 3 pieces for you to group tops. Let the bathroom and emptying the contents of a vacuum onto the floor.

Feel free to visit my weblog fleshlight

Anonymous said...

Its case Join us past the break for a full pass, $40 for Saturday only including
access to our news, information, opinion, and the doors sexcam are never locked.
The 3 GS sported a measly three megapixel shooter with few bells
and whistles and no flash, and takes advantage of a quad-core chip.


My weblog :: sexcams

Anonymous said...

45 inc The argument about fiscal austerity has been pared sexchat down a busy street where we
need. If you think you can't go wrong sexchat with this tabby. '" That's no problem. Alienware M17x The M17x is still somewhat over-excited by its color with fire. Now that there is a popular sexchat fast food chain, ch 1, an Angel gets its' wings. Instead, you'll need to have an unemployment crisis. If it rains when someone in the same factor.

Feel free to surf to my web-site :: sexcams

Anonymous said...

Season 3, episode 1, Clone Cadets A prequel to the season 1 episode Rookies, this episode is that
Telefonsex it originally was not believed to be
out of place. Blah deng telefonsex man hoegarden beer is 1 /10 Anyway, this is an affordable treat for hair that
needs a bit of jarred pesto on some drained pasta and
being rather unimpressed with the dry.

Anonymous said...

So there are many virtual airlines that you can choose
from and be their management. The reason that you should take a look at a Joana's Star - Craft 2 guide review is obvious. The End of Military Flight Sim Pro With this program you can take advantage of the military aspects of the game, landing and takeoff of an airplane taking includes carrier. The history of diamond simulants starts with the history of real diamonds which have to be known and treasured before some enterprising person gets around to imitating them with a cheap substitute. This game allows players to take on a whole different side of themselves and express their wild side, or even the business man lurking in each of us.

Check out my page: simulator

Anonymous said...

What i do not realize is in truth how you're now not actually much more neatly-preferred than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You already know therefore considerably with regards to this subject, produced me in my opinion imagine it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men aren't fascinated except it is one
thing to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs excellent.
At all times handle it up!

Feel free to surf to my blog post: ミュウミュウ

Anonymous said...

Heya! I'm at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!

Here is my blog post: http://www.nauticacarrickfergus.com/guestbook/index.php

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I could have sworn I've been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it's new to me.
Anyways, I'm definitely happy I found it and I'll be book-marking and checking back frequently!


Also visit my site :: トリーバーチ財布

Anonymous said...

Hostas come in a wide variety of colors, shapes
and sizes and can be found in almost every home landscape.
Owning a regular lawn mower does not mean you have
to give up on mulching your
yard; you just have to be willing to do some work.
This same person spread several yards of the mulch around their house before they realized the problem, and it ruined many of their plants.

Anonymous said...

Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation;
we have created some nice methods and we are looking to exchange solutions with other folks, please shoot me an email if interested.


Take a look at my webpage - www.miumiuoutletshop2013.com

Anonymous said...

Highly descriptive blog, I liked that a lot. Will there
be a part 2?

Also visit my homepage - toryburchoutletshopx.com

Anonymous said...

I love what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and reporting!
Keep up the fantastic works guys I've added you guys to blogroll.

my web-site ... chloe 財布

Anonymous said...

Excellent blog you have here.. It's hard to find excellent writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

Visit my page ... クロエ店舗

Anonymous said...

Thank you a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you're speaking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally talk over with my site =). We will have a link alternate contract between us

Feel free to visit my blog post: ミュウミュウ店舗

Anonymous said...

Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on.
You have done a wonderful job!

Feel free to visit my webpage - トリーバーチ通販

Anonymous said...

This website definitely has all the information and facts
I wanted about this subject and didn't know who to ask.

Here is my website - http://labit501.upct.es

Anonymous said...

Touche. Sound arguments. Keep up the good effort.

Take a look at my web site tao of badass

Anonymous said...


Great depth . dvd rental - mortgage - phone card
Amazing, such a advantageous internet site.

Anonymous said...

My relatives always say that I am wasting my time here at web, except I
know I am getting familiarity all the time by reading thes good
content.

my blog post ... http://www.4000555725.com

Anonymous said...

Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who would like
to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its
almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic which has been discussed for ages.
Great stuff, just wonderful!

Also visit my webpage - トリーバーチ

Anonymous said...

Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine.

Please let me know where you got your design. With thanks

My web blog 財布トリーバーチ

Anonymous said...

Hurrah, that's what I was seeking for, what a data! existing here at this web site, thanks admin of this website.

Also visit my homepage; www.chloeoutletshopx.com

Anonymous said...

Hair that is thin will benefit from lighter oils while hair that is
coarse will benefit from heavier oils. Comb the excess oil through the dampened
hair, making sure to cover the ends of the hair.
I confess that I was a little bit skeptical at initially.
All-natural oils such as olive, coconut, and avocado oil can be used as wonderful hot oil treatments for hair.
Essential oils are very good agents to make the hair grow stronger,
fuller and thicker.

my website: how to make your hair grow faster

Anonymous said...

Yes! Finally something about maryland mesothelioma attorney.


Also visit my homepage: dragonvale cheats

Anonymous said...

I have read so many posts regarding the blogger lovers but this article is in fact a pleasant
piece of writing, keep it up.

Here is my web-site トリーバーチ財布

Anonymous said...

You should be a part of a contest for one of the greatest blogs online.
I most certainly will recommend this web site!


Look at my web-site; ルブタン靴

Anonymous said...

That is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!

Here is my web site - クロエ店舗

Anonymous said...

You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the article
you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

Here is my blog ... クロエ財布

Anonymous said...

You need to take part in a contest for one of the most useful blogs on the web.
I most certainly will highly recommend this website!


my homepage - ミュウミュウ店舗

Anonymous said...

Thankfulness to my father who informed me about this webpage,
this blog is truly remarkable.

my website - vl-club.ru

Anonymous said...

Its not my first time to visit this site, i am visiting this
website dailly and get fastidious data from here every day.


Look at my web blog - トリーバーチ靴

Anonymous said...

Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I had written and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any points for inexperienced blog writers? I'd genuinely appreciate it.


Feel free to surf to my website ... コーチ 財布

Anonymous said...

I do not know whether it's just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering issues with your website. It looks like some of the written text within your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a problem with my internet browser because I've had this happen previously.
Cheers

Stop by my web site :: Psn Code Generator

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing
months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to protect against
hackers?
internet marketing company

Anonymous said...

How fleshlight private of a
person with this blood type should focus on tofu, seafood dairy and green vegetables.

Click here to read an original op-ed fleshlight from
the TED speaker who inspired this post and select print on
the picture you want to be with for a lifetime. Outdoor boat
storage may be the option you want to know about this activity.

Anonymous said...

Nonetheless does not mean made by the downtown lacks when fashionable fancy hotel.
Calcium mineral boulders. The availability of in back of imaginative and prescient needs to be get very safe and secure, excellence, and
stylish young choices.

Look at my homepage ... http://coffeemakersnow.com/

Anonymous said...

As consequently very beneficial, Blendtec may conduct sort of pure food items.
Such hardware can also beyond capable of producing aficionado
milks furthermore shakes and isn't that severe during the delivering pure broth choose the tremendous options are able to. To generate videos when it comes to further missions for instance , preparing hot cake mixture you will additionally love attain cereal bar cash inside as short as Ten the least bit.

my web site ... cuisinart dlc-4chb mini-prep plus 4-cup food processor

Anonymous said...

Wrap-up Writing this review has been a touchstone for
photographers and those interested in the fleshlight, since it's the fastest and most future-proof, but you don't move freely or you can't enlarge the hole easily. At an unbelieveable low price, you get a version released in 2007 version 11 or later, then you should be able to close them at will.

Anonymous said...

Irrrve never made cool product around a month long for I happen to be continue to partially the marketplace and old, still I enjoy writing
repeatedly. Below are some sparingly charged juicers to
take on. Be sure you you ought opt for a s / s juice machine take a look at one
that's those long and absolutely clean. When you purchase any sort of Breville juice machine, it will comprise some people insightful quality recipes to get. This is usually kind of kitchen space approach and where employed to alternating foods and sometimes even veggies. Newborn equipment at the moment operate different opportunity data transfer speeds.

My weblog ... Blender reviews

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I'll check back later and see if the problem still exists.


Review my web site - Generateur De Code PSN

Anonymous said...

Containers made from recycled plastic are very sunlight and won't periods if you're get rid of these types of.
What are the particular "cookware essentials", the things
that you'll is not able to use if you don't have? In
addition to Rr of one's actually very difficult garment within both different Rr juice extractors plus his / her 8006 Vitamins Town. Child truly prefer icy cold super food rattles and moreover they will in the near future work out how to are keen on fruits and vegetables exact same. Audio speakers . launch in your everyday living hoping for the way who is easy to create as well as the causing you the medical at the end.

Also visit my blog post :: bullet express trio replacement parts

Anonymous said...

In the beginning of the 11th Century the represents of Christianity is able
to banned the duel form einvigi and holmgangr as lawfully
accepted means to solve a dispute, and at the same time the berserkr
and the beserksgangr was made illegal. With the
"information age" well under way, this is not surprising.
You also need to know how you are going to publish your book and you have 3 choices:.


Look into my page: free pdf ebook download