MP to go solo on river project

After receiving "no response" from the Central government on the Narmada-Kshipra river-linking project, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to go solo on it.

A global expression of interest has been floated to appoint a technical consultant who will make a detailed project report (DPR) for the project. Once the artery of the Malwa region, the Kshipra river now runs dry and almost 12 districts are facing acute water shortage.

"After waiting for a response from the Centre for more than one and a half years, the state government has decided to go on its own" and would take help from private partners on the project, said a government source on condition of anonymity.

However, the state still hopes that the Central government (Ministry of Water Resources) agencies on the river-linking project will accord priority to the project and will assist the state, since the water level in Malwa region is alarmingly low," the source said.

The idea of the state government agency, the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA), is to lift water from the Narmada and release it on Malwa plateau to revitalise its sources, including the Kshipra.

The project cost is very high and will have various geographical challenges in the arid region. "It will be a mega project. Geographical surveys, mapping and completion of the DPR will cost Rs 34-35 crore. The project also involves lifting of 3 million acre-feet of water up to 300 metres from Indira Sagar project, which is Asia's largest reservoir," said a government insider adding, "maintenance of the project alone will demand a recurring annual investment of Rs 1,200 crore."

Although the process of technical consultant has started, it will take at least six months to finalise the name.

Further, geographical mapping of the most dry areas of 11 districts (Indore, Ratlam, Mansaur, Shajapur) of the Malwa region will take another one and a half year.

"The situation is alarming since experts believe the entire area in the Malwa region will be converted into desert if a timely action is not taken. It was necessary to initiate the process," said the source adding, "the offers have been invited globally by April 24. An expert committee will finalise the names and shortlist the consultant. If none is found eligible, the process will be repeated."

Since the lifting of water from Indira Sagar project will consume 552 Mw of power, decision on the source of power will be taken after completion of the DPR.

This project will be the first of its kind where Narmada water will not bereleased directly into the Kshipra but will be released in various areas of Malwa plateau.

The project will involve construction of typical infrastructure and pressure tunnel. The consultant is expected to make design and drawing of the necessary infrastructure.