ILR in Parliament

Here, the ILR issues raised and were discussed in both the houses of Parliament during the Winter session and reporting period starting from 01st October to 31st December, 2019 and projected on the Parliament of India website (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) were incorporated here for information to our readers/stakeholders.

A. Lok Sabha

1.1 Whether any proposals regarding ILR in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are pending with the Government; if so, the details and reasons; the details of work done so far to inter-link the waters of rivers and dams in the said States; and whether any hindrances are being faced in completion of the said projects and if so, the details thereof.

The NPP was prepared by the then Ministry of Irrigation (now MoJS) in August 1980 for water resources development through IBWT for transferring water from water surplus basins to water-deficit basins. Under the NPP, the NWDA has identified 30 links (16 under Peninsular Component and 14 under Himalayan Component) for preparation of FRs.

Under the NPP, three ILR projects namely, Krishna (Almatti)-Pennar; Bedti-Varda and Netravati-Hemavati link projects have been identified benefitting Karnataka State.

Three ILR projects namely, Yamuna- Rajasthan; Rajasthan-Sabarmati and Parbati–Kalishindh – Chambal link projects have been identified benefitting Rajasthan State.

Two ILR projects namely, D-P and P-T-N link projects have been identified benefitting Maharashtra State.

Six ILR projects namely, K-B; Gandak – Ganga; Ghaghra (Karnali)-Yamuna; Sarda-Yamuna; Chunar-Sone Barrage and Kosi-Ghaghra (Karnali) link projects have been identified benefitting UP State. The details of the ILR projects indicating their status is given at Annexure-I.

Apart from the above, NWDA has received proposals of 6, 20 and 2 Intra-State link projects respectively from the Governments of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The details of the Intra-State link projects indicating their status is given at Annexure-II.

The implementation of river link projects involves various steps such as preparation of PFRs/ FRs/DPRs of links, negotiation and consensus among concerned States, clearances from the Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Techno-economic clearance by Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control & Multipurpose Projects of MoJS and investment clearance.

The stage of implementation of a project would be reached after its DPR is prepared and consensuses of concerned States and requisite statutory clearances are obtained. The main problems involving implementation of the ILR projects also include problem in consensus among party States, funding mechanism and international issues (when ILR projects involve other countries).

Annexure-I Names of IBWT link projects, rivers and status of their FRs/DPRs Sl. No. Name Rivers Present Status of Project Projects benefitting Karanataka State 1. Krishna (Almatti) – Krishna & Pennar FR Completed Pennar 2. Bedti - Varda Bedti & Varda PFR Completed 3. Netravati – Netravati & PFR Completed Hemavati Hemavati Projects benefitting Rajasthan State 1. Yamuna- Yamuna & Draft FR Completed Rajasthan Sukri 2. Rajasthan- Sabarmati Draft FR Completed Sabarmati 3. Parbati - Kalisindh- Parbati, Kalisindh FR Completed Chambal (P-K-C) &Chambal Recently Government of Rajasthan has proposed integration of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project with P-K-C link. Projects benefitting Maharashtra State 1. Damanganga – Damanganga & FR & DPR Completed. Pinjal Pinjal Techno-economic clearance accorded subject to Forest clearance for diversion of 1674 ha of forest land and clearance for R&R of Tribal population from MoTA. 2. Par-Tapi- Narmada Par, Tapi & Narmada FR & DPR Completed. DPR sent to CWC for technical appraisal. Combined MoU for implementation of D– P and P-T-N links has been send to Maharashtra and Gujarat States for concurrence. Projects benefitting UP State 1. KBLP Ken & Betwa FR & DPR (Ph-I&II) Completed. Comprehensive DPR sent to Government of MP and UP. KBLP Phase-I: All Statutory clearances (except Stage-II Forest clearance and clearance from CEC of Hon’ble Supreme Court) and techno- economic clearance completed.

KBLP Phase-II: Stage-I Forest and MoTA clearances for Lower Orr Dam, environmental & forest clearances for Bina Complex projects accorded. Draft MoU for implementation of this project has been sent to Government of MP and UP for their concurrence. 2. Gandak-Ganga Gandak & Draft FR Completed (Indian portion) Ganga 3. Ghaghra- Ghaghra & FR Completed (Indian portion) Yamuna Yamuna 4. Sarda-Yamuna Sarda & FR Completed (Indian portion) Yamuna 5. Chunar-Sone Ganga & Sone Draft FR Completed Barrage 6. Kosi-Ghaghra Kosi & PFR Completed Ghaghra

Names of Intra-State link projects and their status Annexure-II Sl.No. Name Rivers Present Status of Project Projects submitted by Karnataka State 1. Almatti (Bagalkot)- Almatti & Malaprabha not found feasible Malaprabha Sub-basin 2. Malaprabha- Tungabhadra Malaprabha & Tungabhadra not found feasible 3. Bedti - Dharma – Varada Bedti, Dharma & Varada PFR Completed 4. Bhadra-Vedavathi(Vani Bhadra & Vedavathi Government of Vilasa Sagar) Karnataka withdrew the proposal in the 5. Diversion of west flowing Barapole & Upper Cauvery th rivers schemes (Barapole- 11 meeting of SCILR upper cauvery) 6. Diversion from Bedti & Aghanashini & Varada PFR Completed Aghanashini to Varada Projects submitted by Rajasthan State 1. Mahi – Luni Mahi & Luni PFR Completed * 2. Wakal – Sabarmati – Sei – Wakal, Sabarmati, Sei, West PFR Completed* West Banas – Kameri Banas & Kameri Projects submitted by Maharashtra State 1. Wainganga (Goshikurd) Wainganga & PFR and DPR – Nalganga (Purna Tapi) Nalganga Completed. 2. Wainganga – Manjra Valley Wainganga & Manjra PFR Completed* 3. Upper Krishna – Bhima Krishna & Bhima PFR Completed (system of Six links) 4. Damanganga (Ekdare)- Damanganga & PFR Completed Godavari Valley Godavari 5(i) Upper Vaitarna- Vaitarna & Godavari PFR Completed Godavari valley 5(ii) Damanganga-Vaitarna- Damanganga, Vaitarna & PFR Completed Godavari (Kadva Dev) Godavari Valley 6. North Konkan – Patalganga & PFR Completed* Godavari Valley Godavari 7. Koyna – Mumbai city Koyna PFR Completed 8. Sriram Sagar Project Godavari, Purna & Manjira PFR Completed (Godavari) – Purna –Manjira 9. Wainganga (Goshikurd) Wainganga & Withdrawn by – Godavari (SRSP) Godavari Maharashtra State 10. Middle Konkan – Bhima Valley Savitri, Kundalika,Amba & Bhima PFR Completed* 11. Koyna – Nira Koyna & Nira PFR Completed 12. Mulsi – Bhima Mulsi & Bhima PFR Completed 13. Savithri – Bhima Savithri & Bhima PFR Completed 14. Kolhapur – Sangli – Sangola Krishna & Bhima PFR Completed

15. Riverlinking projects of Tapi Tapi PFR Completed basin and Jalgaon District 16. Nar – Par - Girna valley Nar, Par & Girna PFR Completed* 17. Narmada – Tapi Narmada & Tapi PFR Completed 18. Khariagutta – Navatha Dropped because Ground water recharge schemes are to Satpura foot hills be studied by CGWB and consequently not accepted by TAC of NWDA for PFR studies. 19. Kharia Ghuti Ghat – Tapi 20. Jigaon–Tapi–Godavari Valley Tapi & Godavari PFR Completed* *(Not found feasible)

1.2 Whether any time limit has been fixed in ILR Projects along with the names of the districts of Rajasthan included in it ; if so, whether any scheme has been prepared in this regard during the last five years; if so, the details thereof; whether the Government has decided to release the amount fixed under Ganga and Narmada projects to Rajasthan; and if so, the norms and details in this regard

Under NPP, three ILR projects namely, Yamuna- Rajasthan link project, Rajasthan-Sabarmati link project and Parbati–Kalishindh – Chambal link project have been identified benefitting Rajasthan State.

Further, the PFRs of two Intra-state links namely, Mahi – Luni link and Wakal – Sabarmati – Sei – West Banas – Kameri link was prepared by NWDA and sent to the Government of Rajasthan indicating that the Intra-State links were not found to be feasible due to technical reasons.

Water resources projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes and programmes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) etc. under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

During 2016-17, ninety-nine (99) on-going Major/Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects under PMKSY-AIBP having ultimate irrigation potential of 76.03 lakh hectare and balance estimated cost of Rs. 77595 crore (Central Assistance (CA) component of Rs.31342 crore) have been prioritized. Funding mechanism through NABARD has also been approved by the Government for both Central and State share. The funds are released for projects on receipt of eligible proposals from the State Government. Under PMKSY-AIBP, two prioritized projects namely, Narmada canal and Modernization of Ganga canal having combined potential of 3.16 Lakh ha have been identified benefitting Rajasthan State and the AIBP works of both the projects have been reported as completed.

1.3 Whether the special committee on ILR has in its report identified 14 links under the peninsular component and 2 links under the Himalayan component and if so, the details thereof; the time by which the projects are likely to take off along with the timeline for their completion; and whether is there a possibility to bring interim relief to the people suffering from drought on one side and floods on the other and if so, the details thereof

A Committee called “Special Committee on Interlinking of Rivers” (SCILR) has been constituted by MoWR, RD & GR (Now MoJS) on 23rd September, 2014 in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its judgement dated 27th February, 2012 in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 512 of 2002 on ‘Networking of Rivers’ along with Writ Petition No. 668 of 2002. The Committee has been constituted to expedite execution of the ILR projects. Sixteen meetings of the SCILR have been held. The SCILR has not submitted any report identifying 14 links under the Peninsular Component and 2 links under the Himalayan Component. However, the then Ministry of Irrigation (now MoJS) formulated NPP for water resources development in August, 1980 through IBWT links from water surplus basin to water deficit basin. Under the NPP, the NWDA has identified 30 links (16 under Peninsular Component and 14 under Himalayan Component) for preparation of FRs. The FRs of 14 links under the Peninsular Component and 2 links under the Himalayan Component have also been prepared, the details of which are given at Annexure-III. The implementation of river link projects involves various steps including preparation of FRs of links, negotiation and consensus

4 among concerned States, preparation of DPRs of the projects, clearances from MoEF&CC, MoTA, techno-economic clearance by Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood control & multipurpose projects of MoJS and investment clearance. The stage of implementation of a project would be reached after its DPR is prepared, consensus among the concerned States and the requisite statutory clearances are obtained. The estimated time for implementation depends upon the construction schedule as per the DPRs of the ILR projects. The Government is providing assistance to State Governments for flood management and relief measures for drought affected areas through its various schemes and programmes.

Names of IBWT Links, Rivers, States and status of FRs/DPRs Annexure-III Sl. No. Name of Link Rivers States concerned Status Peninsular Component 1 Mahanadi (Manibhadra) - Mahanadi & Godavari Odisha, Maharashtra, FR Completed Godavari (Dowlaiswaram) AP, Karnataka & Chattisgarh 2 Godavari (Inchampalli) - Godavari & -do- FR Completed Krishna (Pulichintala) Krishna 3 Godavari (Inchampalli) - Godavari & Krishna Odisha, Maharashtra, FR Completed Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) MP, AP, Karnataka & Chattisgarh 4 Godavari (Polavaram) - Godavari & Krishna Odisha, Maharashtra, FR Completed Krishna (Vijayawada) AP, Karnataka & Chattisgarh 5 Krishna (Almatti)–Pennar Krishna & -do- FR Completed Pennar 6 Krishna (Srisailam)– Pennar Krishna -do- FR Completed & Pennar 7 Krishna (Nagarjunasagar)- Krishna Maharashtra, AP & FR Completed Pennar (Somasila) & Pennar Karnataka 8 Pennar (Somasila)- Cauvery Pennar & Cauvery AP, Karnataka, Tamil FR Completed (Grand Anicut) Nadu, Kerala & Puducherry 9 Cauvery (Kattalai)-Vaigai- Cauvery, Vaigai & Karnataka, FR Completed Gundar Gundar Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Puducherry 10 K-B Ken & Betwa UP & MP FR & DPR (Ph-I&II) Completed 11 Parbati-Kalisindh- Chambal Parbati, Kalisindh & MP, Rajasthan & UP FR Completed Chambal (UP requested to be consulted during consensus building) 12 P-T-N Par, Tapi & Maharashtra & FR & DPR Narmada Gujarat Completed 13 D-P Damanganga & Pinjal Maharashtra & FR & DPR Gujarat Completed 14 Pamba - Achankovil - Pamba, Achankovil & Kerala & FR Completed Vaippar Vaippar Tamil Nadu Himalayan Component 1. Ghaghra-Yamuna Ghaghra & Bihar, UP & Nepal FR Completed Yamuna (Indian portion) 2. Sarda-Yamuna Sarda & Yamuna Bihar, UP, Haryana, FR Completed Rajasthan, (Indian Uttarakhand & Nepal portion) 5

1.4 The extent to which progress has been made in the Damanganga-Pinjal river linking project; whether the work of DPR has been completed regard; if so, the details thereof; and the details of other work proposed to be carried out after DPR to benefit the people.

The DPR of D-P link project was completed by NWDA in March, 2014 and sent to the Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Advisory Committee of MoWR, RD & GR (now MoJS, Department of WR, RD & GR) in its meeting held on 08.07.2016 has accorded technoeconomic clearance to the project. Implementation of river link projects involves various steps like obtaining forest clearance from MoEF&CC for diversion of forest land, clearance for Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) of tribal population from MoTA, etc.

The draft MoU for implementation of the project has also been sent to the Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat for concurrence.

1.5 The present status of Ken-Betwa river inter-linking project; the details of the areas likely to be benefited therefrom; whether as per the report of CEC, 6,017 hectare of forest land and Panna tiger reserve will be affected due to the project resulting in loss of wildlife habitat and if so, the details thereof; the efforts being made by the Government to bring different States on board to sort out the issue; and the details of the river linking projects of various States pending with the Government for financial and environmental approval along with their present status?

The DPR of Ken-Betwa link project (KBLP) (Phase-I, Phase-II and Comprehensive) has been completed. The techno-economic clearance and various statutory clearances of the KBLP Phase-I have been accorded (except Stage-II Forest clearance and clearance from Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court). The Environmental clearance and Forest land diversion clearances for Lower Orr dam (part of phase-II) have been recommended by Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) and Forest Appraisal Committee (FAC) of MoEF & CC respectively. Stage-I forest clearance has been accorded by MoEF & CC for Lower Orr dam project. MoTA clearance for R&R plan of Project Affected Families (PAFs) of Lower Orr dam has also been accorded. Environmental clearance and Stage-I&II forest clearances for Bina complex projects have been accorded by MoEF & CC. Comprehensive DPR of KBLP has been prepared and sent to Governments of UP and MP and CWC in October, 2018.

As per the comprehensive DPR, the total annual irrigation under the KBLP is 9.04 lakh ha comprising of 6.53 lakh ha in MP and 2.51 lakh ha in UP.

Out of the 6017 ha of forest area coming under submergence of Daudhan dam of KBLP, 4206 ha of area lies within the core tiger habitat of Panna Tiger Reserve.

The ILR programme has been taken up on high priority. In respect of KBLP, meetings have been convened by Central Government at the level of Chief Ministers as well as at the level of Chief Secretaries of the party States to expedite the implementation of the project.

The NWDA received 47 intra-State link proposals from nine States. NWDA prepared PFRs of 37 links and sent to the concerned States. The remaining links have been found not feasible or withdrawn by concerned States.

The DPRs of intra-State links viz. (i) Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga link of Bihar, (ii) Kosi- Mechi link of Bihar, (iii) Ponnaiyar-Palar Link of Tamil Nadu, (iv) Wainganga (Gosikhurd)-Nalganga (Purna Tapi) Link of Maharashtra have been 6 completed and sent to the concerned State Governments. Out of the above four intra- State links, the techno-economic clearance for Kosi-Mechi intra-State link project has been accorded by MoJS. The Environmental clearance for the project has also been accorded by MoEF & CC.

1.6 The details of inter-linking of rivers in the State of Telangana; (year-wise) proposed plan in this regard; budget allocated and funds utilised till date?

Under the Peninsular Component, the Godavari(Inchampalli)-Krishna(Nagarjunasagar) and Godavari(Inchampalli)- Krishna(Pulichintalla) link projects envisage to provide benefits to Telangana State. NWDA have prepared the FRs of these two links.

Subsequently, alternate studies for diversion of unutilised waters of Indravati sub-basin to Krishna, Pennar and Cauvery basins have been carried out and accordingly draft DPR of Godavari-Cauvery link project consisting of three links viz; Godavari (Inchampalli/Janampet) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar); Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) – Pennar (Somasila) and Pennar (Somasila)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link projects has been completed and circulated to party States in March 2019 for comments. As per the draft DPR, this link project will benefit about 9.38 lakh ha of area, out of which 1.84 lakh ha lies in Telangana.

The stage of implementation of a project would be reached after its DPR is prepared with the consensus of concerned States and the requisite statutory clearances are obtained.

An enabling allocation of Rs.100 lakhs for ILR programme has been made in the budget of each of the last three years including current year. No fund has been utilized as no ILR project has reached the stage of execution.

B. Rajya Sabha

1.1 whether it is a fact that Government is all set to sign Ken-Betwa link project MoU soon, as the MoU is in the final stage of completion; whether it is also a fact that the signing of MoU of Ken-Betwa will pave the way for inter- linking of many such rivers in the country; and if so, the details thereof.

The DPR of K-B link project was prepared by NWDA and sent to party States of UP and MP. The draft MoU for implementation of the K-B link project was sent to the party States in February, 2018. Based on the suggestions of Government of MP, the Comprehensive DPR was also completed and sent to the party States in October, 2018. MoJS convened meetings with the States of UP and MP in April, 2018 and in July, 2019 for signing of MoU for implementation of the link project. Some technical issues are involved in signing of the MoU.

Under the NPP, four priority links have also been identified for preparation of DPRs under the Peninsular Rivers Component viz; K-B link project, D-P link project, P- T-N link project and Godavari-Cauvery link project. The DPRs of D-P and P-T-N link projects have been completed and sent to the concerned States. The draft DPR of Godavari (Inchampalli/Janampet)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link project has also been completed and circulated to party States in March, 2019.

The Government is pursuing the ILR program in a consultative manner. Vigorous efforts have been made by the Central Government for generating consensus amongst the concerned States.

1.2 Whether Government is aware of the fact that Cauvery (Kattalia)-Vaigai- Gundar river inter-linking is held up even completion of FR/DPR and has any proposal to fast track implement this project with a specified time-frame; if so, the details thereof; and if not, the reasons therefore.

Under the Peninsular Component of NPP, Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar- Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar linking scheme has been identified as Nine link system. Mahanadi-Godavari (M-G) is the mother link of this system. Cauvery (Kattalai)-Vaigai- Gundar link project is the last leg of the Nine link system. NWDA has prepared the FR of this link project during 2004 and circulated to concerned States. The quantum of water meant for diversion through the link canal mainly depends on the deliveries of surplus flows of Mahanadi and Godavari basins from the preceding upper links through the Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery link schemes. Preparation of DPR of the upper preceding links viz., M – G link and Godavari (Inchampalli)-Krishna links depends upon consensus among the concerned States. NWDA has taken up the preparation of DPR for the Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar link project in 2019.

The implementation of river link projects involves various steps such as preparation of PFRs/ FRs of links, negotiation and consensus among concerned States, preparation of DPRs of the projects, clearances from MoEF&CC, MoTA, techno-economic clearance by Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood control & multipurpose projects of MoJS, investment clearance and construction time required for the completion of the project as per the DPR.

The stage of implementation of a project would be reached after its DPR is prepared with the consensus of concerned States and the requisite statutory clearances are obtained. The estimated time for implementation will depend upon the construction schedule as per DPR.

The Government is pursuing the ILR program in a consultative manner. A “Special Committee on Interlinking of Rivers” has been constituted in September, 2014 for the implementation of ILR programme. Sixteen meetings of the Special Committee have been held so far. Further, a Task Force for ILR has been constituted by MoWR, RD & GR (now MoJS) in April, 2015. Efforts have been made for building consensus among the concerned States and also setting out road maps for implementation of the projects.

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