Intra and Inter Basin Linking of Rivers in Water Resources Management

Abstract

Water resources management criteria for its efficient and effective utilization should be well conceived to avoid conflict, reduce negotiation and to increase cooperation. The basic principle of the Indian rivers interlinking was to transfer the surplus water of a basin to water-deficient basin. Nevertheless, the basin/region identified for surplus at present may face severe water scarcity and crisis in future. Therefore, thorough studies of each sub-basin /basins are required to meet the present and projected demands. Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) has emerged for the both intra basin & inter basins water transfer either in space or time. Furthermore, proposal of intra-basin (inter sub-basin) water development should be exercised before inter-basin water transfer and the system can be known as Intra and Inter Linking of Rivers (IILR). The honourable Supreme Court has allowed Centre and concerned states for identifying the feasible links in a speedy manner. In this direction, Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) and Water Resources Department (WRD), government of Madhya Pradesh (MP) formulated a comprehensive project for basin/sub-basins between Onkeshwar to Narmada Sagar to utilize their water before declaring surplus. The author being short term team leader from consultant (Egis (I) Pvt. Ltd) side conducted initial study. The present paper presents an example of effort towards development of intra-basin schemes and interlinking of sub-basins (i.e. Deb-Goi Rivers in District of Barwani) in the state of MP to protect people’s aspiration at present and their stakes for future, through comprehensive and sustainable studies.