What is the National Waterways Project for linking rivers?

The National Waterways Project (NPP) was created by the Ministry of Water Resources (now Jal shakti Ministry) in the year 1980. Under this scheme, water from one river is taken to another area. This scheme has two main parts - Development of Himalayan Rivers and Development of Peninsular Rivers. The main objective of the National Waterways Project is to reduce the flood hazards in the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna river basins. Along with this, it also focuses on solving the problem of water shortage in the states of western and southern india like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, karnataka and tamil Nadu.

The objective of this scheme is to increase irrigation facilities in water-scarce areas, which will increase agricultural production, improve food security and double the income of farmers. Another important objective of the National Waterways Project is to use surface water to increase the level of underground water and reduce the amount of fresh water flowing into the sea.

Is the Kosi-Mechi river linking plan only for agriculture, not to prevent floods?

According to the website of the National Water Development Agency of the Ministry of Jal shakti, the main objective of the plan to link Kosi-Mechi river is to provide water for agriculture only, not to create the problem of floods. The plan to link Kosi and Mechi river has been made only for agriculture. Under this scheme, 573 cusecs of water will be put into a canal, which will provide water for Kharif crops in 2,10,516 hectares of land in Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj and Katihar districts. A total of 2.75 lakh hectares of land can get water from this scheme. At present, this scheme will provide water only for Kharif crops. Water for agriculture in Rabi and other seasons will be available only when Kosi High Dam is built. This scheme will benefit by Rs 1448.10 crore every year.