India’s ambitious river interlinking project aims to tackle water scarcity, improve irrigation, and control floods by redistributing water from surplus to drought-prone areas. First conceptualized in 1858, the plan has evolved to include 30 link projects, with the Ken-Betwa Link Project currently under implementation.

BulletsIn

• India has 17% of the world’s population but only 4% of freshwater resources, distributed unevenly.
• River interlinking connects water-surplus and drought-prone regions via canals, pipelines, and reservoirs.
• The idea dates back to 1858, with formal planning starting in 1980 under the National Perspective Plan.
• The Ken-Betwa Link Project, costing ₹44,605 crore, is the first project under implementation.
• KBLP aims to irrigate 10.62 lakh hectares of land and supply water to 62 lakh people annually.
• It will generate 130 MW of renewable energy but raises ecological concerns in the Panna Tiger Reserve.
• Interlinking could improve irrigation for 34 million hectares, generate 34,000 MW of hydropower, and reduce regional water imbalances.
• Concerns include habitat disruption, biodiversity loss, and changes in river morphology.
• High costs, time overruns, and inter-state conflicts are challenges to implementation.
• Experts suggest integrating localized solutions like rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation with large-scale projects.