RIVER LINKING and FLOOD CONTROL
RIVER LINKING
Gadkari (water minister) says, "Five water projects are almost ready, I am fine-tuning them. I will try to see that actual work begins in next three months!! Latest technology will be used for construction." Then he wants to move to the next five!!
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/government-aims-to-begin-work-on-3-river-inter-linking-projects-soon/articleshow/60381239.cms
Five water projects to be expedited at cost of Rs 50,000cr are Ken-Betwa, Par-Tapi-Narmada and Damanganga-Pinjal ILRs and Pancheshwar & North Koel dams.
▬ Ken-Betwa project is expected irrigate 0.6mha in the drought-ridden Bundelkhand region. Damanganga-Pinjal & Par-Tapi-Narmada are projects between Gujarat and Maharashtra.
▬ Daman Ganga-Pinjar is Rs25,000cr project of which 90% is funded by Centre. “This scheme will improve the water capacity of dams to 100% in Jayakwadi, Marathwada to Ahmadnagar and Nashik," — Gadkari— "Besides irrigation potential of Maharashtra will be raised from 22 per cent to 40 per cent by 2019."
Hot Press
Centre will fund 90% of 2 river linking projects for southern states. First project will take 100TMC of surplus Godavari waters to Cauvery river, in steel pipes to minimize land acquisition. Not only will total water availability improve, but drip/ sprinkler irrigation will multiply total irrigated area.
① Godavari ➥Polavaram project (AP) ➥Nagarjuna Sagar Dam ➥ Krishna ➥ Somasila dam ➥ Pennar (Kar) ➥ Grand Anicut on Cauvery
② Indravati river (central India)➥ Nagarjuna Sagar dam
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/centre-plans-to-transfer-surplus-godavari-water-to-cauvery-nitin-gadkari/article9970972.ece
Note on North Koel Dam
---------------------------------------
2015 article on North Koel dam project talks of how it had been stalled for 40 years and was finally seeing action. Govt was still chasing States for NOCs and clearing environmental hurdles. Project started in 1975, and was 90% completed when it was stopped in 2007!! It brings out interesting aspects like the region had suffered 10 major famines since 1935 & 4500ha of tiger reserve would be submerged.
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Rbo7hzogemb40VOMSeGp3O/40-years-on-North-Koel-irrigation-project-yet-to-get-green.html
FLOOD CONTROL
3-day advance flood warnings are available for all 19 river systems and these have worked splendidly and earned good feedback. Their accuracy comes from computer modeling of rainfall, runoffs & water levels in rivers and dams.
Longer term flood measures are being undertaken, though more can be done.
A) Dredging of rivers & dams, embankment strengthening and mitigation of river sedimentation (eg planting trees on uplands) to contain flood waters within rivers.
▬ Mapping will be done of erosion hotspots on the Brahmaputra & an agency has been assigned for remedial action.
▬ Dredging and strengthening of embankments of the Brahmaputra will be done as part of the new e-ways project whose construction will start shortly.
B) Additional storage
▬ Single-stage Upper Siang multipurpose storage will be a flood control measure for the Brahmaputra basin. Up to 14 BCM storage is being contemplated. This is a mammoth project but perhaps essential for the development of Assam and NE region as a whole. Govt is keen to fund the entire project and start land compensation talk.
▬ India-Nepal Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project is an important dam storage, flood control, HE cum irrigation project.
Notes on Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It is sited on Mahakali River and governed by Mahakali treaty between Nepal and India. DPR was prepared 20+ years ago and was only revived in 2014 by incoming NDA govt. According to the Indian water minister work will start shortly. It may cost Rs 30,000cr and take 12 years to complete (see link below).
At 315m Pancheshwar dam will be the tallest dam in the world. It will serve to protect downstream populations in UP, much like Tehri Dam has done for towns and cities downstream of Ganga. For example, Tehri Dam protected Haridwar and Rishikesh from being swept away in the 2013 floods. It incorporates 6 BCM storage capacity in the many reservoirs up to 65km upstream of the dam.
Pancheshwar dam will irrigate 0.1mha in Nepal and perhaps 1.5mha in India!! It will be designed to regulate water flow and so can be tweaked to supply peak power loads. It is rated for 4800MW and expected to produce 12 billion units per year.
https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/pancheshwar-project-will-tallest-dam-world/
C) Interlinking of rivers to simultaneously tackle flooding and water shortages. The aim is to transfer surplus waters (or flood waters during monsoons) to another river basin.
▬ Kosi-Mechi and Kosi-Ghagra links are espoused as flood control measures for the Ganga basin. Kosi-Ghagra link is supplementary to Sapt-Kosi dam (see my link).
Status Report
---------------------
Kosi-Mechi link's DPR is under technical appraisal and needs final approval from Bihar govt. Kosi-Ghagra is undergoing feasibility study. DPR for Saptkosi dam is being prepared and there is strong support from Nepal and India. SK dam will protect 0.7mha in Bihar (or save 13 million) from flooding.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=126156
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uma-bharti-bats-river-interlinking-mitigate-flood-problem/815754/
RIVER LINKING
Gadkari (water minister) says, "Five water projects are almost ready, I am fine-tuning them. I will try to see that actual work begins in next three months!! Latest technology will be used for construction." Then he wants to move to the next five!!
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/government-aims-to-begin-work-on-3-river-inter-linking-projects-soon/articleshow/60381239.cms
Five water projects to be expedited at cost of Rs 50,000cr are Ken-Betwa, Par-Tapi-Narmada and Damanganga-Pinjal ILRs and Pancheshwar & North Koel dams.
▬ Ken-Betwa project is expected irrigate 0.6mha in the drought-ridden Bundelkhand region. Damanganga-Pinjal & Par-Tapi-Narmada are projects between Gujarat and Maharashtra.
▬ Daman Ganga-Pinjar is Rs25,000cr project of which 90% is funded by Centre. “This scheme will improve the water capacity of dams to 100% in Jayakwadi, Marathwada to Ahmadnagar and Nashik," — Gadkari— "Besides irrigation potential of Maharashtra will be raised from 22 per cent to 40 per cent by 2019."
Hot Press
Centre will fund 90% of 2 river linking projects for southern states. First project will take 100TMC of surplus Godavari waters to Cauvery river, in steel pipes to minimize land acquisition. Not only will total water availability improve, but drip/ sprinkler irrigation will multiply total irrigated area.
① Godavari ➥Polavaram project (AP) ➥Nagarjuna Sagar Dam ➥ Krishna ➥ Somasila dam ➥ Pennar (Kar) ➥ Grand Anicut on Cauvery
② Indravati river (central India)➥ Nagarjuna Sagar dam
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/centre-plans-to-transfer-surplus-godavari-water-to-cauvery-nitin-gadkari/article9970972.ece
Note on North Koel Dam
2015 article on North Koel dam project talks of how it had been stalled for 40 years and was finally seeing action. Govt was still chasing States for NOCs and clearing environmental hurdles. Project started in 1975, and was 90% completed when it was stopped in 2007!! It brings out interesting aspects like the region had suffered 10 major famines since 1935 & 4500ha of tiger reserve would be submerged.
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/Rbo7hzogemb40VOMSeGp3O/40-years-on-North-Koel-irrigation-project-yet-to-get-green.html
FLOOD CONTROL
3-day advance flood warnings are available for all 19 river systems and these have worked splendidly and earned good feedback. Their accuracy comes from computer modeling of rainfall, runoffs & water levels in rivers and dams.
Longer term flood measures are being undertaken, though more can be done.
A) Dredging of rivers & dams, embankment strengthening and mitigation of river sedimentation (eg planting trees on uplands) to contain flood waters within rivers.
▬ Mapping will be done of erosion hotspots on the Brahmaputra & an agency has been assigned for remedial action.
▬ Dredging and strengthening of embankments of the Brahmaputra will be done as part of the new e-ways project whose construction will start shortly.
B) Additional storage
▬ Single-stage Upper Siang multipurpose storage will be a flood control measure for the Brahmaputra basin. Up to 14 BCM storage is being contemplated. This is a mammoth project but perhaps essential for the development of Assam and NE region as a whole. Govt is keen to fund the entire project and start land compensation talk.
▬ India-Nepal Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project is an important dam storage, flood control, HE cum irrigation project.
Notes on Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project
It is sited on Mahakali River and governed by Mahakali treaty between Nepal and India. DPR was prepared 20+ years ago and was only revived in 2014 by incoming NDA govt. According to the Indian water minister work will start shortly. It may cost Rs 30,000cr and take 12 years to complete (see link below).
At 315m Pancheshwar dam will be the tallest dam in the world. It will serve to protect downstream populations in UP, much like Tehri Dam has done for towns and cities downstream of Ganga. For example, Tehri Dam protected Haridwar and Rishikesh from being swept away in the 2013 floods. It incorporates 6 BCM storage capacity in the many reservoirs up to 65km upstream of the dam.
Pancheshwar dam will irrigate 0.1mha in Nepal and perhaps 1.5mha in India!! It will be designed to regulate water flow and so can be tweaked to supply peak power loads. It is rated for 4800MW and expected to produce 12 billion units per year.
https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/pancheshwar-project-will-tallest-dam-world/
C) Interlinking of rivers to simultaneously tackle flooding and water shortages. The aim is to transfer surplus waters (or flood waters during monsoons) to another river basin.
▬ Kosi-Mechi and Kosi-Ghagra links are espoused as flood control measures for the Ganga basin. Kosi-Ghagra link is supplementary to Sapt-Kosi dam (see my link).
Status Report
Kosi-Mechi link's DPR is under technical appraisal and needs final approval from Bihar govt. Kosi-Ghagra is undergoing feasibility study. DPR for Saptkosi dam is being prepared and there is strong support from Nepal and India. SK dam will protect 0.7mha in Bihar (or save 13 million) from flooding.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=126156
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uma-bharti-bats-river-interlinking-mitigate-flood-problem/815754/
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Whats next after Ken-Betwa?
Inter-state ILR
These 3 are relatively straightforward projects. All can finish in 7 yrs.
1. Par-Tapi-Narmada link ILR
2. Damanganga-Pinja projects ILR
3. Chambal-Kalisindh ILR : MP wants it entirely within.
Nepal is keen to set up hydroelectric projects. Both parties benefit.
4. Sapta-Kosi dam with Kosi-Ghagra link ILR & flood control.
"Sapta-Kosi dam is a 269 meter high (883 feet) concrete dam with a capacity of 3,300 MW at a 50 percent load factor. When completed, it is expected to irrigate 300,000 hectares of farm land both in Nepal and the Indian State of Bihar," (see link 2).
Two others being discussed (see link 3). Meetings or negotiations held with West Bengal and Odisha.
5. Mahanadi-Godavari link ILR: Odisha. Reworked to reduce submerged land to win Odisha approval. Crucial and mother ILR.
6. Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga ILR: Assam, Bihar & West Bengal. DPR next with WB consent. Crucial and mother ILR.
Intra-state ILR
46 proposals of intra-state links received by NWDA from nine states. DPRs for a few have been taken up (see link 5):
1. Burhi Gandak- Noon-Baya-Ganga links of Bihar (done)
2. Kosi-Mechi link of Bihar (done)
3. Ponnair-Palar link of Tamil Nadu
4. Wainganga-Naganga link of Maharashtra
5. Barakar-Daodar-Subernarekha link of Jharkhand
6. Vamsadhara-Rushikulya link of OdishaREPLY Sep 5, 2017 - MSTG link is recommended
MSTG link will divert 43 BCM (from Manas, Sankosh) to Ganga, from which 14 BCM will go to Peninsular system via Mahanadi.
Pre-feasibility report on various Brahmaputra basin links has concluded. It favours the Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga (M-S-T-G) link, which links Manas, Sankosh (both in Assam), Teesta (West Bengal) and Ganga (Bihar section) rivers. However local opposition doesn't want to share its waters. This might change if assured irrigation is provided.
Priority river links with States consent
The DPRs of Ken-Betwa Phase I & II, Daman-Ganga-Pinjal and Par-Tapi-Narmada have been prepared and shared with the respective States.
▬ Statutory clearances have also been obtained for Ken-Betwa Phase I
▬ Techno-economic clearance to the Damanganga-Pinjal link project has also been accorded subject to statutory clearances.
▬ DPR of Par-Tapi-Narmada has been submitted for technical appraisal in Central Water Commission
▬ DPR of the Mahanadi-Godavari link, however, could not be taken up as Odisha was not agreeable for Mahanadi-Godavari link, a mother link of nine link systems viz., Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Palar-Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar linkage due to large submergence involved in Manibhadra Dam.
Based on the suggestions of Odisha’s Water Resource Department, NWDA has now prepared a preliminary revised proposal of Mahanadi Godavari Link Project with reduced submergence and submitted to the State Government.
▬ Proposal of intra-State link for linking Sone river with Phalgu river was received from Government of Bihar. No proposal to link Phalgu river situated in Gaya district of Bihar with Ganga river
REPLY Dec 10, 2017 - GANGA-SONE-PHALAGU LINK pdf
and overview of Bihar river links
Techno-economic viablity for two intra-state links established:
1. Burhi Gandak- Noon-Baya-Ganga links of Bihar
2. Kosi-Mechi link of Bihar
There are seven inter-state links involving Bihar:
(i) Manas-Sankosh-Tista-Ganga link
(ii) Ganga-Damodar-Swarnrekha link
(iii) Kosi-Ghaghra link
(iv) Kosi-Mechi link
(v) Gandak-Ganga link
Problems with :-
(vi) Sone dam –STG Link (dam not approved)
(vii) Chunar (GANGA)- Sone barrage link (UP gains little)
Rivers of Bihar:
1. Ganga - slow, mighty and not flashy (ie. doesn't change levels abruptly)
2. Sone - perennial, medium load (2nd biggest tributary to Ganga), flashy. Indrapuri barrage has diverted much of its water (sited near Aurangabad)
3. Phalagu - seasonal, very flashy, runs dry for 11 months
Sone-Phalagu River link
Aims to provide drinking water to Gaya and activate irrigation projects downstream of Gaya (ie water scarce Jahanabad district will be supplied by Uderasthan irrigation project). Water is drawn from Right Bank Sone canal of Indrapuri barrage and pumped 31m up and 80 km across by steel pipes. Route is Daudnagar-> Goh-Koch ->Gaya.
Two steel pipes will be used for added security. Major requirements are a pumping station on right bank canal and revival of derelict Uderasthan canals. Land acquisition cost will be minimal. Water loss is minimal. And some 80% of water supplied for Gaya city can be reused for irrigation.
However, writer states that a link to Ganga is imperative as Sone doesn't have spare water (42 MCM). This is at odds with what Bihar govt has proposed (see above).
http://s205895.gridserver.com/indiawaterweek2016/Presentation's%20India%20Water%20Week%202016/CONFERENCE%20ON%206-4-2016%20AT%20PRAGATI%20MAIDAN/10.00%20TO%2013.00/S3/GSP%20LINK%20PPT%20-%20FINAL%20(2).pdfREPLY Sep 1, 2017 REPLY Sep 1, 2017 - Massive storage for Arunachal Pradesh— will Centre get it’s way ASAP?
——————————————————
Chinese threat to divert upto 80% of 18 BCM flow into India, has compelled experts to think of building massive storage of 14BCM. This is intended to mitigate shortages during the lean season from Nov to Apr, but has other benefits. Reservoirs will help control the annual floods in Assam. A 9.2 BCM storage dam will be attached to10,000MW Siang HE project. Other storage will cater for HE on rivers Lohit, Subansiri and Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Central ministers have given a push to it, beware there is stiff local resistance. States have been asked to come back with compensation estimates. Dam will submerge large tracts of forests (which is expected) and the area is earthquake prone.
➖ Siang Upper Storage-I & II HE projects were merged
➖ Dams must be designed to withstand earthquake activity. Ideally cost-benefit assessment should be done.
➖ On the other hand, the situation calls for a strategic response, so overriding local resistance and cost concerns. Benefits are incalculable to the region as a whole — it’s a small price to pay for widespread development.
➖ Centre has assured full funding incl. loan finance. Govt is not interested in foreign investment due to Chinese pressure.
REPLY Dec 4, 2017 - Ponnaiyar-Palar river link
Though rains were bountiful, upper Palar in western parts of district complained of lack of water flow. This link can provide flood waters that would otherwise flow into the sea.
Project was initiated in 2008-09 has not taken off the ground. A 54km canal link will propel water by gravity.
Nedundal ➥ Krishnagiri dam ➥ Kallaru tributary of Palar ➥ recharge ground water in Palar basin & secure 11.9kha irrigation scheme.
6.5TMC or more goes waste from Krishnagiri dam sea from over-filled Sathanur dam. Instead annually this can be diverted -- to Palar (3.5 tmc) & Cheyyar (3.0 tmc).
State had announced this project from its own funds, after Centre refused to financially support intra-state links. DPR is done and submitted for environmental clearance. State level EIA is ongoing. Centre has sorted issues with Karnataka and things may now move fast.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2017/oct/23/boost-for-karnataka-as-centre-accepts-objections-to-tamil-nadu-river-link-project-1680301.html
REPLY Dec 4, 2017 - Status of Inter-linking of rivers
Under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) prepared by ministry of water resources, National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has already identified 14 links under Himalayan Rivers component and 16 links under Peninsular Rivers component for inter basin transfer of water based on field surveys and investigation and detailed studies, said the ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation.
Out of these, feasibility reports of 14 links under Peninsular Component and 2 links (Indian portion) under Himalayan component have been prepared.
A group on intra-state river links has been constituted and it has reviewed all issues on intra-state river links.
The NWDA has received 46 proposals of intra-state links from nine states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.
Out of these 46 proposals, pre-feasibility reports of 35 intra-state links have been completed by NWDA up to March, 2015.
In addition to National Perspective Plan link, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of two intra-state links of Bihar state -- Burhi Gandak- Noon- Baya-Ganga and Kosi- Mechi link have been completed in December 2013 and March 2014 respectively. Detailed Project Report of Kosi-Mechi link in under technical appraisal.
Detailied project reports of Ponnaiyar – Palar link (Tamil Nadu), Wainganga (Gosikhurd) - Nalganga (Purna Tapi) link (Maharashtra), Barakar - Damodar-Subarnarekha and Vamsadhara-Rushikulya (Nandaninalla) are under progress.
Manas- Sankosh- Teesta- Ganga link envisages diversion of 43 billion cubic metre (BCM) of surplus water of Manas, Sankosh and intermediate rivers, for augmenting the flow of Ganga and provide 14 BCM of water in Mahanadi basin for further diversion to the South through Peninsular link system.
Overall 35m ha of irrigation -- raising ultimate irrigation potential from 140m to 175m ha -- and 34000 megawatt of power, besides benefits of flood control, navigation, water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc.
REPLY Dec 4, 2017 - Gosikhurd project
CM Maha said Gosikhurd project will be done by 2019. Right bank canal of the project and the Nerla Lift Irrigation Scheme was also launched
“It is unfortunate that the project launched 34 years ago by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi couldn’t be completed even today. Immediately after becoming Water Resources Minister, I released Rs 750 crore for the project and we have decided to complete it by 2019,” Gadkari said.
The dam is situated in Bhandara district in east Vidarbha and is Vidarbha’s biggest irrigation project with a capacity to irrigate over 2.5 lakh hectares in Bhandara, Nagpur and Chandrapur districts.
Gadkari said, “Agrovision has been providing valuable guidance to thousands of farmers from across the state in best and cost-effective agricultural practices. My endeavour would be to provide irrigation to most farmers in Vidarbha, which I believe will put an end to farmers’ suicides.”
Gadkari announced that his ministry is devising a Rs 6,000-crore World Bank-aided scheme to increase irrigation potential in various states by funding small water conservation projects like wells, farm ponds, and barrages. He also said, “Rs 25,000 crore will be spent on two major river-linking projects between Maharashtra and Gujarat to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi within three months. Also, the Centre will provide Rs 10,000 crore to suicide-affected districts of Vidarbha to improve the farmers’ lot.”
Gadkari said, “Farmers land in trouble when prices of their produce go down. The Centre is planning to increase import duty on oilseeds and pulses to help farmers get better prices.”
In a major announcement, Gadkari said, “We have decided to carry irrigation water through pipelines instead of canals in future.”
CM Fadnavis claimed that in three years, his government has brought growth rate of agriculture from negative to positive and currently it stands at 12.5 per cent. The CM also said, “We are embarking on converting electric feeders to farms into solar feeders, which will provide continuous water supply to farms by eliminating load-shedding.”
He said his government would bring in regulations to control the sale and use of pesticides, believed to have caused deaths of many farmers in Vidarbha. Naidu called for greater focus on agriculture than industry and a multi-pronged approach to improve agriculture. “It is a shame that farmers have to commit suicide. All parties have had governments in states and the Centre and all must take the blame. Farmers have become aware of their rights and are also protesting. But there should be no violence and politics over it. Maximum focus should be on agriculture because unlike industry, agriculture is an unorganised sector with maximum population dependent on it and the farmers cannot decide the price of their own produce.”
REPLY Dec 4, 2017
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