Interlinking of Rivers in India

The programme of Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) in India has been one of the most ambitious ideas ever, of any government till date. It is an idea that has conjured up visions for the common Indian - of a country free from floods and droughts, and people in Tamil Nadu tasting the sweet waters of the holy Ganges. Such images of passion and emotion contrasted together with the recurring floods and droughts in various parts of the country have helped those in power to sell the dream of river linking to the people. Backed by the Supreme Court judgement and a supportive and a strong advocate of the project, the President of India, the NDA government went all out to promote and get this project initiated. The present UPA government is also taking forward this idea. The book is one of the first attempts in India to look at the river linking project from a rational and well researched perspective. It is not a one sided view; care has been taken to analyse the project in an unbiased way. The book throws up various pros and cons associated with the project, and also gives insights into how such projects can be analysed. On the Ken-Betwa link, various experts have pointed out the gaps in the prefeasibility report, where further work needs to be done, and what needs to be taken into consideration when such projects are planned.