Understanding River Linking in India

River linking is a major infrastructure project in India that aims to connect different rivers through a network of canals and reservoirs. The goal is typically to transfer water from surplus river basins to deficit river basins, addressing issues like drought in some areas and floods in others, while also potentially aiding navigation, irrigation, and power generation.

Recently Linked Rivers: Godavari and Krishna

Among the options provided, the linking of the Godavari and Krishna rivers has been a significant and recently completed project. Specifically, this was achieved through the construction of the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh. This project involves lifting water from the Godavari river and transferring it to the Krishna river basin via a canal that connects to the Polavaram Right Main Canal, which then feeds into the Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna river.

This project was undertaken to supplement water supply in the Krishna delta during periods of deficit, using surplus water from the Godavari during flood seasons. It is a prominent example of inter-state river linking efforts.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the provided river pairs:

• Cauvery and Tungabhadra: While discussions and proposals exist for linking southern rivers, this specific pair has not been the focus of a major, recently completed linking project like the Godavari-Krishna link.
• Godavari and Krishna: As discussed, the Godavari and Krishna rivers have been linked through the Pattiseema project, which was completed recently. This project facilitates the transfer of Godavari water to the Krishna basin.
• Mahanadi and Sone: These rivers are part of different river basins (Mahanadi in Odisha, Sone in Uttar Pradesh/Bihar/Madhya Pradesh, a tributary of the Ganga). While inter-basin transfers are part of river linking plans, a major linking project specifically between the Mahanadi and Sone has not been recently undertaken.
• Narmada and Tapti: These rivers flow westward and are relatively close to each other. While water management projects exist in their basins, a direct, major river linking project between the main stems of the Narmada and Tapti rivers hasn't been the focus of recent, large-scale implementation compared to the Godavari-Krishna link.

Based on recent developments and completed projects, the linking of the Godavari and Krishna rivers stands out as a recently undertaken initiative.

Revision Table: River Linking Pairs

Additional Information on River Linking Projects

River linking projects in India are part of ambitious national plans aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of water resources across the country. These projects are complex and involve significant engineering challenges, environmental considerations, and socio-economic impacts.

Key aspects of river linking:

• Objectives: Transfer water from water-surplus basins to water-deficit basins. Provide irrigation water, enhance navigation, generate hydropower, and help in flood control and drought mitigation.
• Challenges: High construction costs, potential environmental damage (deforestation, displacement of communities, impact on aquatic life), inter-state water disputes, and geological complexities.
• Notable Projects/Proposals: Besides Godavari-Krishna, other major proposals include Ken-Betwa linking, Par-Tapi-Narmada linking, and various links in the Himalayan and Peninsular components of the National Perspective Plan for river interlinking.

The Godavari-Krishna link serves as a practical example of how these large-scale water transfer projects are being implemented to address regional water requirements.