An Idea On Interlinking Of Rivers Might Boost Indian Economy

The interlinking river is a method of transferring extra water from rainy regions to drought-prone areas. It will be able to control both floods and droughts in this manner. This linking will also aid in the resolution of the country’s water crisis in several areas.

River interlinking aims to connect Indian rivers via reservoirs and canals. This will eliminate flood problems and offer water throughout the year. Farmers will also gain because they will no longer rely on the monsoon for water and other necessities. The river connection project is a huge task and an opportunity to address the water challenges that climate change has brought on us. Making the IRL project function by developing a network of dams and canals across the length and breadth of the country is the long-term solution to water scarcity. However, after a thorough investigation, interlinking must ensure that the environment and aquatic life are not harmed.

River Interlinking Project

The river interlinking project is a Civil Engineering project that intends to connect Indian rivers via reservoirs and canals. Farmers will now no longer have to rely on the monsoon for irrigation, and excess or lack of water may be addressed during floods or droughts. We may be astonished to learn that India has approximately 4% of the accessible water, yet India’s population is about 16%. However, hundreds of millions of cubic metres of water flow into the ocean each year, and India must meet its demands with only 4%.

The River Interlinking Project is a project that will connect 60 rivers in India, including the Ganga. Hopefully, this project will reduce farmers’ reliance on unpredictable monsoon rains. This project is broken down into three sections: North Himalayan river link elements, Southern Peninsular Component beginning in 2005, Interstate river interlinking. The National Water Development Authority of India (NWDA). The  Ministry of Water Resources is in charge of this project.

Economic Aspects of River Interlinking 

Agriculture: India is predominantly an agrarian country. Agriculture provides a living for more than 70 per cent of the country’s inhabitants. Every year, floods and droughts occur. This keeps a large portion of the country impoverished. It is believed once the river interlinking project is completed, the country’s irrigation capacity will increase dramatically. Increased irrigation would result in more productive land. As a result, crop yield will skyrocket.

Hydroelectricity: An extensive artificial irrigation network is unavoidable once water is directed from one river to another. This irrigation system would necessitate the construction of multiple dams. More than 3000 dams were planned to be built as part of the major plans for connecting India’s rivers. We should be able to contain water by building these many barriers around the country. This water can also be used to generate energy.

Movement:  The economic benefits of the river interconnection project are yet to be seen in the future. On the other hand, the costs are imminent in the short run. Large-scale engineering projects will need to be undertaken in several areas across the country. This implies that the government will need to buy land and clear the way for the projects. Many individuals who are currently occupying those areas will be displaced.

Climate Change: Many environmentalists criticise the proposal on the basis of failing to address climate change. The slow process of climate change may render the strategy obsolete in around five decades. For example, the plan’s fundamental assumption is that rivers in India have excess water. The majority of the rivers recognised as having excess water are Himalayan rivers. They get their surplus water when the glaciers in the Himalayas melt.

Advantages of Interlinking rivers

• Create the possibility for an additional 100% increase in agricultural productivity over the next five years.
• Bring the country together by enlisting every Panchayat as a shareholder and implementer.
• Provide an additional layer of defence to strengthen the country’s security.
• Increase employment rates by hiring ten lakh people in the next ten years in the agriculture, energy, transportation and construction sectors.
• Eliminate the year-round flooding concerns in the north and northeast parts of the country.
• Provide alternate, long-term water resources to alleviate the water situation.
• The extensive canals connecting the rivers are also intended to improve inland navigation.
• Increased food production from 200 million tonnes to 500 million tonnes each year.
• Increase farmers’ annual average income,
• Address water scarcity issues in India’s cosmopolitan cities and inter-state water disputes.
• Redevelop the country’s rural parts along modern lines.
• Help the rural economy and the Indian village’s way of life.
• Boost the country’s overall economic activities, resulting in annual growth in GDP.
• Managing environmental pollution rates,
• Bring additional security to the country by establishing the “National Rivers Water Grid”.

Disadvantages of Interlinking rivers

• Environmental expenses (deforestation, soil- erosion, etc.).
• Rehabilitation and displacement of thousands.
• Social unrest/psychological harm caused by forced resettlement of locals.
• Political ramifications and strained relations with neighbours (Pakistan, Bangladesh).