Now that another drought situation is staring large parts of Maharashtra in the eye, the state government is once again trying to revive the much-debated River Linking Project (RLP). Chief minister Eknath Shinde has directed the authorities to submit detailed project reports of all the proposed schemes under RLP with a view to relaunching them. Though a welcome decision, it will remain to be seen how serious the government is in this regard since the experience so far has made it difficult to be too optimistic.
In fact, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken the initiative to kickstart RLP on the national level. He had entrusted the task to make preparations to his favourite performer, Suresh Prabhu. But the Manmohan Singh government that took over in 2004 abandoned the concept and not much has happened since. Therefore, flooding and drought keep on haunting various states of India almost every year, resulting in huge human life and financial losses.
As far as Maharashtra is concerned, various expert groups and committees have submitted their valuable findings to successive governments. The main thrust of all their recommendations is to divert the excess rainfall water from the Konkan region to the drought-prone north Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. This will be humongous challenge for any government, especially in the present atmosphere of political instability. Nonetheless, if some concrete steps are taken without any more loss of time, millions of people will be able to live a better life.
The chief minister’s direction was based on a presentation given to him by well-known expert Rajendra Jadhav, on behalf of Jal Chintan Sanstha, who explained the urgency of RLP. Shinde announced that all the relevant projects will be taken up forthwith. According to Jadhav, at least Rs.25,000 crore would be required to implement the projects for which DPRs are ready. He said about Rs.1 lakh crore would be needed to take up all the RLPs in the state. Hence, he emphasized the need to transfer these projects to the national-level RLP.
The presentation highlighted the fact that almost 50 percent of the rainfall in Maharashtra occurs in the Konkan region. However, most of the water flows into the ocean in absence of irrigation projects in that area. This excess water is to be sent to the dry regions in a phased manner. As pumping up the water would be very expensive if used electricity, the use of solar energy will be imperative. To install solar energy generation plants, huge expenditure will be involved.
As of now, DPRs are finalized for six major RLPs. They are : Vainganga-Nalganga link, Nar Par-Girna link, Par canal link, Gargai-Vaitarna-Kadva Dev river link and Viatarana-Godavari link. They are being examined by the water resources department of the state government. Similarly, DRPs for the following RLPs would have to be prepared : Ulhas-Marathwada link, Ulhas creek project, Koyna-Mumbai link, Koyna-Sindhudurg link, Ukai (Tapi)-Mosam link and Ukai (Tapi)-Panzara link, Jadhav informed the chief minister during the presentation. Shinde then asked the water resource department to complete these DPRs at the earliest.
Shinde said discussions had been held with Union home minister Amit Shah to seek the Centre’s assistance for completion of these projects. Jadhav said pending a decision by the Centre, the state should form an autonomous RLP undertaking but must not delay the implementation of the projects.
Experts have advised the government that two different approaches can be resorted to for brining the Konkan water to the Godavari basin. Under the first scheme, 7.40 TMC of water can be transported by using electricity through 30 canals. Another 19.59 TMC of water can become available through two interstate RLPs. Secondly, Nashik and Ahmednagar districts can be supplied water by using the gravitational flow system. Of course, the schemes will cost huge amounts of funding.l
The Par basin can generate 1 TMC, the Damanganga basin can supply 13.58 TMC, the Vaitarna basin can send 1 TMC and the Ulhas basin’s share can be 4 TMC of water, as per expert findings. This scheme can be completed in a short time. Moreover, it has been sanctioned by the state government on 14 March 2012. The project has been languishing over a land acquisition dispute concerning just one village. The government can resolve the issue to accelerate the project, they have pointed out. Action is still awaited on this count.
According to the master plan for water resource development, over a thousand irrigation projects across the state are still ‘being completed.’ If they become operational, 769 TMC of water can become available, quenching the thirst of thousands of acres of farm land. Sadly, new projects are announced but those underway remain unattended, experts lament.
The case of banishing drought from Marathwada is quite illustrative. The state government sanctioned 23.66 TMC of water for the purpose. However, the Krisnha water dispute tribunal allowed only 7 TMC of water to be used for it. The Krishna-Marathwada water supply project was sanctioned way back in 2001. It received administrative approval six years later. At the time, the project required annual funding of Rs.5000 crore but the actual disbursement was just Rs. 150 crore. After two decades, the project has started getting shape. Still, another Rs.8000 crore will be required for its completion. Once again, the financial crunch has plagued the project. This is the story of almost all water supply and irrigation projects across the state.
Maharashtra Monitor has dealt with the water situation issue earlier this year. The various concerns expressed by experts were articulated. They still exist, in fact, more so because of the drought situation in the state. Except for the Mumbai metropolis, the specter of the likely shortage of water has started hovering over the state. The only hope of revival of the monsoon is fading fast. Therefore, the hapless millions all over the state have to brace themselves to face another gruelling year.
Therefore, Shinde’s initiative to end water shortages is certainly welcome but the wheels of bureaucracy need to revolve much faster to bring a smile on the face of the people in vast parts of Maharashtra.
A Column By
Dilip Chaware – Senior Editor
A media professional for 43 years, with extensive experience of writing on
a variety of subjects; he is also a documentary producer and book author.
