Union government inks MoU with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for river linking project

The primary objective of this project is to integrate the original PKC river link initiative with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), transforming it into a collaborative inter-state river linking project.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, marking a significant step in the implementation of the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (PKC-ERCP) Link Project.

The primary objective of this project is to integrate the original PKC river link initiative with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), transforming it into a collaborative inter-state river linking project. This move aligns with the National Perspective Plan under the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) program initiated by the Government of India.

Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) Program:

The ILR program involves connecting two or more rivers through the creation of a network comprising manually created reservoirs and canals. The initiative aims to facilitate the transfer of excess water from regions with abundant rainfall to those facing drought conditions, effectively managing both floods and droughts.

The National Perspective Plan, formulated by the Ministry of Irrigation (now Ministry of Jal Shakti) in August 1980, identified 30 river links for water resources development through inter-basin water transfer. The PKC-ERCP Link Project is one of these identified links, focusing on the Parbati and Kalisindh rivers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which are major tributaries of the Chambal River.

Benefits of PKC-ERCP Link Project

The MoU signifies a crucial step toward the comprehensive planning and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the PKC-ERCP Link Project. This transformative initiative aims to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan, as well as the Malwa and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, it seeks to irrigate an expansive area exceeding 2.8 lakh hectares in both states, along with the supplementation of en-route tanks.

Moreover, the modified PKC link project is anticipated to optimize and economically utilize the water resources available in the Chambal basin.

Following the completion of the DPR, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will be finalized among the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, along with the Union government. This MoA will delineate the scope of the project, water sharing arrangements, cost and benefit distribution, implementation mechanisms, and water management and control in the Chambal basin.