The surface water resources of the country are not evenly distributed. While there is excess of water in the eastern part of the country (basins of the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, the Mahanadi etc. the western and central parts are facing the problem of water scarcity.
During rainy season a large part of the surface water goes waste and flows to the sea. In remaining part of the year there is water deficit which is met through irrigation. Even during rainy season while there is flood in one region another reels under severe drought and famine. This imbalance in surface water may be made up through national water grid.
The National Water grid envisages inter river basin transfer of water to mitigate regional disparities in water distribution. The idea for this Grid was mooted by the Central Water and Power Commission under the chairmanship of Dr. K.L. Rao to conceive the interlinking of various rivers for the following objectives: (1) Surplus waters of various rivers should be utilised beneficially by transfer to water deficit zones, from north to south and south-west and from east to west by means of canals and river links. (2) Diversion of flood water, hitherto going waste to the sea, to water deficit and drought areas to even out the variations in the water supply for agriculture. (3) Surplus waters must be used on priority basis in chronically drought affected areas.
To achieve above objectives the Commission has suggested following guidelines : (a) Ganga- Kaveri Link connecting the Ganga in the north with the Kaveri in the south passing through the basins of the Son, Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna and Pennar, (b) the Brahmaputra-Granga Link, (c) Link canal from Narmada to western Rajasthan, (d) Canal from the Chambal to pump water to the areas of central Rajasthan, (e) A canal link from the Mahanadi to serve coastal areas in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, and establish link with other canal systems, and (0 Links from west flowing rivers of the Western Ghat to the east.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The waters of the Grid are proposed to be used for irrigation in drought affected areas. It will not only increase irrigation potential, minimise the effects of droughts, encourage multiple cropping, diversify economic activities but control floods, conserve underground water and favour tourism. In future National Water Grid may be used as a cheap source of internal navigation and transportation of goods and freight. This will reduce burden on railways and road transport. The canals and river links built under the Grid may be utilised in promoting aquaculture. There is sufficient scope for the Grid to generate adequate amount of hydel power for the use in the Grid system and also to leave surplus for the local consumption in industries and agriculture.