The Maharashtra cabinet has recently approved the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project to address irrigation challenges in the Vidarbha region, which has faced significant agricultural distress.
About the Project:
- Objective: Enhance irrigation in Vidarbha region, which includes districts prone to drought and agricultural distress.
- Scope: Irrigate approximately 3.75 lakh hectares of land across 15 towns in six districts.
- Water Transfer: Water from the Wainganga River in the Godavari basin will be redirected to the Nalganga project in Buldhana district.
Integration with National River Linking Project (NRLP)
- Purpose: Supplement NRLP, which is designed to transfer water from surplus to deficit basins.
- NRLP Background: Based on the National Perspective Plan (NPP) prepared in 1980, identifying 30 river links (16 Peninsular, 14 Himalayan).
- Current Status: NRLP aims to improve irrigation, navigation, and flood control. Challenges include resettlement, rehabilitation, and environmental impacts.
About Wainganga River:
- Source: Mahadeo Hills, on the southern slopes of the Satpura Range, Madhya Pradesh.
- Confluence: Joins the Wardha River, forming the Pranahita River, which empties into the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Telangana.
- Tributary: Major tributary of the Godavari River.
- Riparian States: Includes Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana.
- Usage: Employed for shipping goods and passengers under the National Waterways Project (NAWAD).
About Nalganga River:
- Tributary: Main left bank tributary of the Purna River and a sub-tributary of the Tapi River.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is the objective of the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project?
The objective is to enhance irrigation in the Vidarbha region, which includes districts prone to drought and agricultural distress.
How many hectares of land will be irrigated through this project?
Approximately 3.75 lakh hectares of land across 15 towns in six districts will be irrigated.
Which two rivers are involved in the project and where are they located?
The project involves redirecting water from the Wainganga River in the Godavari basin to the Nalganga project in Buldhana district.
How does the Wainganga-Nalganga project tie in with the National River Linking Project?
The project supplements the NRLP, designed to transfer water from surplus to deficit basins, and is based on the National Perspective Plan (NPP) of 1980.
What is the overall goal of the National River Linking Project (NRLP)?
The NRLP aims to improve water availability and irrigation potential across the country by linking rivers from surplus to deficit basins.