Recent News Context
The Maharashtra government approved two significant river linking projects:
- Wainganga-Nalganga Interlinking Project: Diverts water from the Wainganga River (Godavari basin) to the Nalganga River (Purna-Tapi basin) via a 426.52 km canal network.
- Nar-Par-Girna Valley Intra-State Link Project: Redirects surplus water from west-flowing rivers (Ambika, Auranga, and Nar-Par basins) to the east-flowing Girna River (Tapi basin).
Both projects align with the National River Linking Project (NRLP) and aim to address water scarcity in Maharashtra’s drought-prone regions.
Project Details
A. Wainganga-Nalganga Project
- Objective: Transfer surplus water from the Godavari basin to the Tapi basin to irrigate drought-prone areas in Buldhana district.
- Key Features:
- Water sourced from the Gosikhurd reservoir on the Wainganga River.
- Supplement the Nalganga project, enhancing irrigation and drinking water supply.
- Implementation: Based on a 2018 feasibility report by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
B. Nar-Par-Girna Valley Project
- Objective: Utilize surplus monsoon flows from west-flowing rivers (which drain into the Arabian Sea) to augment water availability in the Girna River (Tapi basin, draining into the Bay of Bengal).
- Significance: Intra-state project within Maharashtra, minimizing inter-state disputes.
About the Rivers
- Wainganga:
- Originates in Madhya Pradesh’s Mahadeo Hills.
- Merges with the Wardha River to form the Pranhita (largest Godavari tributary).
- Riparian states: Chhattisgarh, MP, Maharashtra, Telangana.
- Nalganga: Left-bank tributary of the Purna River, which feeds into the Tapi.
National River Linking Project (NRLP)
- Background: Part of the National Perspective Plan (1980) to address regional water imbalances.
- Components:
- Himalayan Component (14 links): Manages flood and water scarcity in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin.
- Peninsular Component (16 links): Includes the Wainganga-Nalganga and Ken-Betwa projects.
- Progress: Ken-Betwa (MP-UP) became the first approved link in 2021.
 Benefits
- Agricultural Boost: Irrigation for drought-prone regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada.
- Drinking Water: Address water scarcity in Buldhana and other districts.
- Flood Mitigation: Redirect surplus monsoon flows from flood-prone areas.
Challenges
- Environmental Concerns: Ecosystem disruption, biodiversity loss (e.g., fish migration, forest submergence).
- Engineering Complexity: Long canals, sedimentation, and high costs (~₹15,000 crore estimated for Wainganga-Nalganga).
- Social Impact: Potential displacement of communities.
- Inter-State Issues: Wainganga flows through multiple states, necessitating coordination.
Stakeholders & Governance
- NWDA: Technical planning and feasibility studies.
- Maharashtra Government: Execution and funding.
- Central Government: Policy support under NRLP.
Way Forward
- EIA Compliance: Ensure ecological safeguards and community consultation.
- Inter-State Cooperation: Harmonize water-sharing agreements for transboundary rivers.
- Technology Integration: Use GIS and remote sensing for efficient water management.
