Not yet classifiedINDIA
National River Interlinking Project
A massive central water management project linking Indian rivers via reservoirs and canals to redistribute water, manage floods, and expand irrigation.
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Highlights and Media
Key Highlights
Flood and Drought Control
Redistributes surplus monsoon waters to water-deficient basins to mitigate flood and drought cycles.
Irrigation Expansion
Enables irrigation over an additional 35 million hectares of agricultural land across India.
Clean Power Potential
Envisages generation of 40,000 MW hydro-power capacity through strategic canal drops and dam sites.
National Perspective Plan Components
Distribution of planned river linking channels by component group
Who is eligible
- Project aligns with the National Perspective Plan criteria and state-level river basin requirements.
Eligibility rules · v1 · effective 1 January 1980
How to apply
Feasibility Study Request
State departments submit proposals to the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) for pre-feasibility studies.
Typical duration · 60 days
Detailed Project Report (DPR) Drafting
NWDA conducts detailed surveys, environmental impact assessments, and drafts the DPR.
Typical duration · 180 days
Inter-State Agreements & Approvals
Signing of tripartite agreements between basin states and clearance from MoEFCC for execution.
Typical duration · 365 days
Sources
- National Water Development Agency — Ministry of Jal ShaktiMINISTRY_PORTAL · Fetched 5 July 2026
Additional Details
The Indian Rivers Interlinking Project is a proposed large-scale civil engineering water management project managed by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It aims to effectively manage water resources in India by linking rivers using a network of reservoirs and canals. The project has three components: a Northern Himalayan component, a Southern Peninsular component, and an Intra-State component. It aims to reduce persistent floods in some areas and water shortages in other parts, enhancing irrigation and groundwater recharge.