Work on Three River Interlinking Projects to Begin

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Government will start work on three river interlinking projects- Ken-Betwa Linking Project, Damanganga- Pinjal Link Project, and the Par-Tapi-Narmada Link projects. Envisages diversion of surplus waters of Ken basin to water deficit Betwa basin- providing irrigation in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Map of Damanganga- Pinjal Link Project

Ken-Betwa Linking Project

Map of KEN BETWA LINK
  • A dam is proposed on river Ken at Daudhan 2.5 km upstream of existing Gangau weir.
  • Link canal to provide irrigation to water short areas of upper Betwa basin of Madhya Pradesh by way of substitution and to enroute areas of Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh. The total length of the link canal from Ken at Daudhan to its outfall point is 231.45 km including a 2 km long tunnel in its head reaches.
  • The Betwa command comprises of four projects namely Barari, Neemkheda, Richhan and Kesari in the upper reaches of the Betwa basin.

Damanganga- Pinjal Link Project

Map of Damanganga- Pinjal Link

Envisages transfer of balance available water at the proposed Bhugad reservoir across Damangangariver and at the proposed Khargihill reservoir across Vagh river, a tributary of Damanganga river

Damanganga- Pinjal Link Project Components

  • 826.60 m long composite dam on Damanganga river near village Bhugad in Peinttaluka of Nasik district very near Valsad district (Gujarat) .
  • A 16.85 km Bhugad-Khargihill link tunnel with 5.0 m diameter will connect Bhugad and Khargihill reservoirs below their minimum draw down levels.
  • A 572.80 m long composite dam across river Vagh at Khargihill site near village Behadpada in MokhadaTaluka of Thane district of Maharashtra State is proposed.
  • A 25.70 km long Khargihill-Pinjal link tunnel with 5.25 m diameter will connect Khargihill and Pinjal reservoirs below their MDDLs.
  • A 681 m long Pinjal dam on river Pinjal (tributary of Vaitarnariver) near village Khidse in Jawhartaluka of Thane district has been proposed by Maharashtra.

Damanganga- Pinjal Link Project Impact

Augment water supply to Greater Mumbai to meet domestic and industrial water requirements

  • The Bhugad and Khargihill reservoirs together with a tributary of Vaitarna river will be connected through pressure tunnels to Pinjal reservoir across Pinjalriver from where the water will go to Greater Mumbai.
  • The divertable water yield to Mumbai city at Pinjal dam site with 75 % dependability is 332 Mm3.

Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project

Map of Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project

Proposes to transfer water from the water surplus regions of Western Ghats to the water deficit regions of Saurashtra and Kutch.

  • Link project includes seven reservoirs proposed in north Maharashtra and south Gujarat whose water would be taken through a 395 km long canal including the 33km length of the feeder canals to take over a part of the command of the Sardar Sarovar Project irrigating small enroute areas.
  • This saves Sardar Sarovar water for irrigation in Saurashtra and Kutch region.
  • The link includes seven dams, three diversion weirs, two tunnels (5.0 km & 0.5 km of length) , 395 km long canal- 205 km in Par-Tapi portion including feeder canals and 190 km in Tapi-Narmada portion, 6 power houses and a several cross-drainage works.
  • The project area is mainly spread in the districts of South Gujarat except for Jheri dam and reservoir.

Details of Dams of Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project

  • The seven dams proposed include Jheri, Mohankavchali, Paikhed, Chasmandva, Chikkar, Dabdar and Kelwan
  • Jheri and Mohankavchali dams are across Par river, one below the other
  • Paikhed dam is across Nar river, a tributary of the Par.
  • Jheri water after power generation will reach Mohankavchali through river course.
  • Mohankavchali reservoir water will flow through a 5 km long tunnel to reach the Paikhed weir.
  • Chasmandva dam is proposed across Tan river (a tributary of Auranga)
  • Chikkar dam is proposed across river Ambica
  • Dabdar is proposed across Kapri (Ambica՚s tributary)
  • Kelwan dam is proposed across Purna.

Power Generation of Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project

  • Power houses are proposed at the foot of the dam at Jheri, Paikhed, Chasmandva and Chikkar dams.
  • For Dabdar and Kelwan reservoirs, power houses are in the feeder canals along the falls.
  • The estimated annual energy to be generated is 93 Mkwh.

Benefits from Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project

  • Provide irrigation benefits to the enroute command and Narmada command- net annual benefit for irrigation estimated to be ₹ 53.50 lakhs per hundred ha
  • Generate hydropower of the order of 93.00 Mkwh- annual benefits from power generation are estimated to be ₹ 5,523 lakhs
  • Reservoirs also provide flood relief to downstream areas.

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