India, Feb. 5 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Sl. No
Name
States benefited
Annual Irrigation (Lakh ha)
Domestic & Industrial (MCM)
Hydro power
Year of completion of FR/DPR
Status
Ken-Betwa link Project (KBLP)
Uttar Pradesh (UP) & Madhya Pradesh (MP)
10.62 (UP- 2.51 MP. - 8.11)
194
103 MW (Hydro) & 27MW(Solar)
DPR completed in 2018
Govt. of India has approved the implementation of KBLP in December 2021 with an estimated cost of Rs 44605 crore (year 2020-21 price level) with central support of Rs 36,290 crore through a Special Purpose Vehicle viz; Ken Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA). Honourable Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for project on 25.12.2024.
Godavari (Inchampalli) -Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) link
Telangana
2.38
232
26
DPR completed in January, 2024
1. DPR for this modified proposal was circulated to party States in January 2024
Krishna (Nagarjunasagar)- Pennar (Somasila) link
Andhra Pradesh (AP)
1.71
236
40
DPR completed in January, 2024
Pennar (Somasila) - Cauvery (Manimuktha) link
AP
0.51
43
DPR completed in January, 2024
Tamil Nadu
1.14
618
Puducherry
--
62
Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link
MP & Rajasthan
Benefits as per MoA: MP - 6.11
Benefits as per MoA:
-
MoA for implementation has been signed in year 2024
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for preparation of DPR was signed by both the States (MP and Rajasthan) on 28.01.2024.
Krishna (Almatti) - Pennar link
Karnataka
0.69
464.51
----
DPR Completed in September 2025.
AP
1.57
10.1-Drinking water
----
Bedti - Varda link
Karnataka
1.05
38
----
DPR completed in September 2022.
Presently, PFR of alternate link has been submitted to State in August 2025.
Netravati - Hemavati link
Karnataka
0.34
--
--
PFR completed in year, 1994
Further studies are not taken up since after implementation of Yettinahole project in 2014 by Govt. of Karnataka, no surplus water is available in Netravati basin for diversion through this link.
Godavari (SSMP/Inchampalli) -Krishna (Pulichintala) link
Telangana & AP
TOTAL 4.74
Telangana- 26.8
90.0
DPR completed in March 2024
AP - 4.38
AP - 319.7
Godavari (Polavaram) -Krishna (Viayawada) link (Polavaram irrigation project)
AP
4.36
665
960
DPR was completed in 2005
Benefits included here are the total benefit under Polavaram Irrigation project.
11
Krishna (Srisailam) - Pennar link
AP
1.79
58
11
DPR completed in March 2024
Kosi-Ghaghra link
Bihar, U.P & Nepal
Total 8.35
0
--
FR completed
1.20 - U.P
Nepal -1.10
13
Gandak - Ganga link
U.P & Nepal
Total - 34.58
700
4375 (Dam PH) & 180 (Canal PH)
FR completed in June 2024
14
Yamuna-Rajasthan link
Haryana & Rajasthan
Haryana - 0.11
30
1702
FR completed in September, 2021
Rajasthan- 2.40
15
Rajasthan-Sabarmati link
Rajasthan & Gujarat
Total - 11.53
102
5126
FR completed in Feb, 2021
Gujarat-0.32
16
Chunar-Sone Barrage link
Bihar & U.P
Total - 0.60
--
--
FR completed in September, 2025
17.
Ganga (Farakka) - Damodar-Subarnarekha link
W.B., Odisha& Jharkhand
W.B. -11.18
432
--
FR completed in March 2021
18.
Subarnarekha-Mahanadi link
W.B. & Odisha
Total - 2.16
198
20
FR completed in Feb. 2021
(MW)
The project is to complete by March 2030.
2. Draft MoA for implementation was circulated among party states in April 2024.
Rajasthan - 4.03
MP-(71.39 drinking +21.50 industrial) 92.9
Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for implementation has been signed in December 2024.
22.3- Industrial
Telangana - 0.36
6.05 -Bihar
U.P -28.80
Rajasthan - 11.21
Bihar - 0.10
Orissa- 0.39
W.B. - 0.18
Total 10.15 lakh ha
Rajasthan -(1744.16 drinking + 205.75 industrial) 1949.91
DPRs of components of Rajasthan have been completed and uploaded on e-PAMS Portal of CWC.
Nepal -5.78
U.P. - 0.49
Jharkhand- 0.73
Orissa - 1.98
Total 2043 MCM
The Feasibility Reports (FRs) for 26 links and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 13 links have been completed out of 30 identified interlinking of rivers (ILR) projects under the National Perspective Plan (NPP). Further, under the NPP, no interlinking of rivers project pertains to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The status of river interlinking projects including Godavari-Krishna River link, Krishna (Alamatti)-Pennar link, Bedti-Varada Link, Netravati-Hemavathi link and Ken-Betwa link those received sanctions/ approvals or recorded progress in last five years in the country are provided in the Annexure.
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the only priority link that has entered the implementation stage. It has an estimated cost of Rs.44,605 crore, with Rs.39,317 crore of central support. The Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP), which includes the Godavari (Polavaram)-Krishna (Vijayawada) link, has received cumulative Central Assistance of Rs.20,658 crore.
The North Koel Reservoir Project is an inter‑State major irrigation project with its command area spread across the States of Bihar and Jharkhand. The approved cost of the project is Rs.2,430.76 crore, including a central share of Rs.1,836.41 crore. The revised completion time of the project is June 2026. The irrigation potential of said project is 1,14,021 hectares.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is undertaken for every interlinking of rivers project during the preparation of FR and DPR to assess environmental and socio‑economic impacts, including those on riparian communities. Statutory environmental and wildlife clearances are obtained as required under prevailing laws. After participating States sign implementation agreements, proposals are submitted for appraisal and consideration of central support. The Cost‑sharing arrangements between the Centre and States are not uniform and are determined individually for each project.
The likely benefits of these projects covering irrigation potential, drinking water availability and overall regional water security are provided in Annexure.
To ensure transparency, ecological sustainability and equitable water distribution, the ILR programme is guided by strong institutional mechanisms such as the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR), the Governing Body of National Water Development Agency (NWDA) and the Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers (TFILR). These platforms enable States to review technical, environmental, social and water‑sharing aspects. All NWDA study reports are shared with States for comments, which are duly incorporated.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI SHRI C R PATIL in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
