Panel to Review Godavari-Cauvery River Link Plan on July 15

Rapid Summary:

• Context: The Union Jal Shakti Ministry’s Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers is meeting on July 15, chaired by Union Minister C.R. Patil via video-conferencing.
• Topic: Discussion centers on the Godavari (Inchampalli)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) river link project aimed at benefiting Tamil Nadu considerably.
• Stakeholders:

– Tamil Nadu: Allotted 41 tmc ft., including 10.1 tmc ft. for Chennai city’s drinking and industrial usage; urging eventual provision of up to 200 tmc ft. with diversions from other river links.
– Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Disagreements exist, particularly Telangana’s demand that the project proceeds only after Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II issues are fully adjudicated.
– Other states/UTs affected: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry.

• Project Components: Three links-Godavari-Krishna (Nagarjunasagar), Krishna-Pennar (somasila), and Pennar-Cauvery-to utilize unutilized Godavari waters effectively.
• Progress updates:

– Draft Detailed Project Report and Memorandum of Agreement circulated to stakeholders in early 2024.
– National Water Growth Agency indicates “concerted efforts” towards signing agreements for implementation.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

the Godavari-Cauvery interlinking project reflects India’s ambition to address water scarcity by redistributing resources across regions with surplus or unutilized water reserves. While Tamil Nadu stands as a major beneficiary due to its reliance on additional water sources for drinking and industrial needs, disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana exemplify the complexities in large-scale inter-state projects.

telangana’s concerns regarding unresolved Krishna River adjudications highlight how broader legal and procedural issues can delay critical infrastructure undertakings meant to benefit multiple states. Resolution will likely hinge upon obvious dialog during this meeting.

From a strategic viewpoint, balancing all stakeholder interests while fast-tracking such initiatives could mitigate growing water challenges in India’s southern regions. However, ensuring equitable distribution without exacerbating regional tensions remains pivotal to long-term success.

Read more at: The Hindu