Meenachil River Basin Project Resumes After 40-Year Delay

Quick Summary

• The Kerala State government has sanctioned ₹54 lakh for a study to revive the long-stalled Meenachil River Basin Project.
• WAPCOS Limited, under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, has been assigned the consultancy task. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) exists between WAPCOS adn the Irrigation Department.
• The project aims to ensure perennial flow in Meenachil River by channeling surplus water from Moolamattom hydroelectric station post-power generation.
• Benefits include:

– Improved irrigation for Kottayam and Changanassery taluks.
– Mitigation of drinking water shortages and prevention of saline intrusion during summer months in low-lying areas.

• Infrastructure plans involve:

– Construction of a check dam at Arakkulam Moonunkavayal with a series of canals and tunnels leading into kadapuzha region in Kottayam district.

• Originally proposed by former minister K.M. Mani, earlier plans focused on constructing a large dam but were deemed technically unfeasible due to geological concerns after expert assessment.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The approval for reviving the Meenachil River Basin Project represents meaningful forward movement in addressing regional water resource management challenges. If successfully executed, this initiative can definitely help curtail agrarian distress caused by erratic irrigation support and seasonal drinking water shortages. Additionally, its design to prevent saline intrusion offers crucial environmental advantages for vulnerable ecosystems in low-altitude areas.

However, past delays due to technical infeasibility highlight how large-scale infrastructure projects in India often encounter obstacles rooted in mismatched plans or insufficient impact assessments. In this revised iteration with smaller check dams instead of massive reservoirs, pragmatic adjustments may ultimately streamline implementation while minimizing environmental disruptions.

The focus on leveraging surplus hydroelectric station water underscores India’s growing emphasis on maximizing utility from distributed resources-an innovative approach aligning well with broader national goals concerning sustainable development.

Read more: Source