Out of the 30 identified link projects under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has completed Pre-Feasibility Reports (PFRs) for all 30 links, Feasibility Reports (FRs) for 26 links, and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 13 links. The overall status of all 30 link projects is enclosed at Annexure.

Status of Implementation of Link Projects:

The Godavari (Polavaram)–Krishna (Vijayawada) Link Project forms part of the Peninsular Component of the National Perspective Plan (1980). This link was subsequently taken over by the State of Andhra Pradesh under the Indirasagar Polavaram Project. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the project came under the jurisdiction of the Polavaram Project Authority as part of the Polavaram Irrigation National Project, declared under the Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act, 2014. Water connectivity in the link canal has since been established.

Further, five links under the NPP have been designated as priority projects, namely:

1. Ken–Betwa Link Project (KBLP)

2. Modified Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal (PKC) Link Project

Godavari–Cauvery Link Project, comprising three sub-links:

3. Godavari (Inchampalli) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar)

4. Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) – Pennar (Somasila)

5. Pennar (Somasila) – Cauvery (Grand Anicut)

 

Status of the Priority Link Project:

Ken–Betwa Link Project (KBLP) Project:

The Ken–Betwa Link Project is the only priority project under the NPP that has entered the implementation stage. The project has an estimated cost of ₹44,605 crore, with ₹39,317 crore of central support through a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Ken–Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA). Initial activities focus on land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R), and implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The project is scheduled to be completed by 2030, and work on its main component, the Daudhan Dam, has already been awarded.

 

Modified Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal (Modified PKC) Link Project:

To optimize utilization of the Chambal River System, integration of the ERCP with the PKC link project was studied, leading to the formulation of the Modified PKC Link Project, which was subsequently declared a priority project under NPP by the Special Committee on Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for preparation of the DPR was signed by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan with the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), Government of India. A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for implementation was signed by the Hon’ble Chief Ministers of the concerned States and the Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti. DPRs of the Rajasthan components have been uploaded on the e-PAMS Portal for appraisal by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

 

Godavari–Cauvery Link Project:

After preparation of DPRs of three link projects under this link project and continuous deliberations with party States, a proposal of transfer of about 4189 MCM from Godavari along with combining the proposal for supplementation in Krishna basin through Bedti-Varda link was framed as an interim arrangement. Technical Feasibility Report (TFR), Draft DPR and a draft MoA for implementation of this proposal have been prepared by NWDA and circulated to concerned States.

 

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is conducted for each river interlinking project during the formulation of Feasibility Reports (FRs) and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). The study aims to systematically evaluate the project’s potential positive and adverse effects on the physical, biological, and socio-economic environment, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into the planning and decision-making processes.

With respect to the Ken–Betwa Link Project (KBLP), the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed, and Environmental Clearance has been granted. Regarding KBLP, an Integrated Landscape Management Plan (ILMP) has been formulated to enhance habitat quality, maintain critical wildlife corridors connecting adjacent Protected Areas (PAs), and facilitate the holistic conservation and management of flagship species such as tigers, vultures, and gharials. The ILMP also aims to promote biodiversity conservation within the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) and its surrounding ecologically sensitive zones.

To ensure systematic and time-bound implementation of the ILMP, a Greater Panna Landscape Council (GPLC) has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh. For construction of Daudhan Dam, land acquisition is taken up by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLAR Act, 2013). At the time of Section 11 Notification, approximately 7193 families were estimated to be project affected. Government of Madhya Pradesh has approved a special Rehabilitation & Resettlement package.

 

Regarding, the Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP), which also encompasses the Godavari (Polavaram) – Krishna (Vijayawada) link project is being implemented in the State of Andhra Pradesh and has been receiving financial support from the Government of India. The cumulative Central Assistance/financial support extended to the State of Andhra Pradesh for the Polavaram Irrigation Project stands at ₹20,658 crore till date.

 

Regarding Ken Betwa Link project, out of the budgetary provision of Rs. 4469.41 crores, the actual expenditure for the KBLP over the last three financial years amounts to Rs 3969.79 crore.

 

The cooperation of States is paramount in the implementation of Interlinking of Rivers projects. The consensus building amongst states is the most challenging task that leads to delay in the implementation of ILR projects including inter-state issues, land acquisition or statutory clearances. States have apprehensions related to allocation of water and effect of ILR on their existing irrigation and power requirements. Some projects have international dimensions and need cooperation from neighboring countries.

 

Inter-State cooperation is fundamental to the ILR programme. To ensure coordinated implementation, the Government of India is actively engaged in consensus-building with concerned States, adopting a consultative approach that addresses their views, concerns, and apprehensions. All study reports – including PFRs, FRs and DPRs - prepared by the NWDA are shared with State Governments for feedback, which is duly incorporated.

States are also involved in key decision-making platforms such as the NWDA Society (chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti), the Governing Body of NWDA (chaired by the Secretary, Water Resources), the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR), and the Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers (TFILR). These forums, along with dedicated consultation meetings, facilitate active engagement and resolution of State-specific issues, thereby enabling the timely and collaborative implementation of link projects.

 

The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

***

ND

(Rajya Sabha USQ 1691)

 

ANNEXURE-

Details and current status of ILR projects under the NPP

Peninsular Component

S.No	Name	States benefited	Status
1	Mahanadi (Manibhadra) - Godavari (Dowlaiswaram) link	Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Odisha	Feasibility Report completed
	Alternate Mahanadi (Barmul)- Rushikulya–Godavari Dowlaiswaram) link	AP and Odisha	Feasibility Report completed
2	Godavari (Polavaram) - Krishna (Vijayawada) link @	AP, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana	Feasibility Report completed
3	a.) Godavari (Inchampalli) - Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) link	Telangana	Feasibility Report completed
	b.) Alternate Godavari (Inchampalli) - Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) link *	Telangana	DPR completed
4	Godavari (Inchampalli/ SSMPP) - Krishna (Pulichintala) link	Telangana and AP	DPR completed
5	a.) Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) - Pennar (Somasila ) link	AP	Feasibility Report completed
	b.) Alternate Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) - Pennar (Somasila ) link *	AP	DPR completed
6	Krishna (Srisailam) – Pennar link	AP	DPR Completed
7	Krishna (Almatti) – Pennar link	Karnataka &AP	DPR completed
8	a.) Pennar (Somasila) - Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link	AP, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry	Feasibility Report completed
	b.) Alternate Pennar (Somasila) - Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link *	AP, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry	DPR completed
9	Cauvery (Kattalai) - Vaigai -Gundar link	Tamil Nadu	DPR completed
10	Parbati –Kalisindh - Chambal link	Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Rajasthan	Feasibility Report completed
	b) Modified Parbati – Kalisindh-Chambal link	MP and Rajasthan	MoA for implementation has been signed by both the States
11	Damanganga - Pinjal link	Maharashtra (only water supply to Mumbai)	DPR completed and dropped from status of “priority links”
12	Par-Tapi-Narmada link	Gujarat and Maharashtra	DPR completed and dropped from status of “priority links”
13	Ken-Betwa link	Uttar Pradesh (UP) and MP	DPR completed and project is under implementation
14	Pamba - Achankovil - Vaippar link	Tamil Nadu and Kerala	Feasibility Report completed
15	Bedti - Varda link @@	Karnataka	DPR completed
16	Netravati – Hemavati link***	Karnataka	Pre-Feasibility Report completed

 

*Due to pending consensus on Manibhadra and Inchampalli dams, Phase-I of Project to divert unutilized waters of Godavari River, Study was carried out and DPR of Godavari (Inchampalli) – Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) - Pennar (Somasila) – Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link projects (combined) called as Godavari-Cauvery link was completed. The report has further been updated terminating the link canal at Manimukhta nadi, a Tributary of Vellar river flowing adjacent to Cauvery basin.

@@ Bedti – Varda Link - DPR was prepared directly after preparation of its PFR, no FR was prepared.

@ Godavari (Polavaram) - Krishna (Vijayawada) Link- the project has been taken up by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and is under execution by Polavaram Project Authority.

*** Netravati – Hemavati link: Further studies not taken up after PFR preparation since after implementation of Yettinahole project by Govt. of Karnataka, no surplus water is available in Netravati basin for diversion through this link.

 

 

Himalayan Component

 

Out of 30 link projects, 4 FRs are not required to be prepared:

**Kosi-Mechi Inter State link - PFR prepared and proposal was dropped due to international issues, subsequently, on request of Govt. of Bihar, NWDA has taken up Kosi-Mechi Intra State link project.

Jogighopa-Tista-Farakka link - PFR prepared and proposal dropped

Bedti - Varda link – DPR was prepared directly after preparation of its PFR, no FR was prepared.

Netravati – Hemavati link - Further studies after PFR preparation, are not taken up since after implementation of Yettinahole project by Govt. of Karnataka, as no surplus water is available in Netravati basin for diversion through this link.

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