Context
The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) has been initiated by the Govt of Rajasthan to tackle water deficient districts in the eastern region of Rajasthan. The idea of this large scale project is to harness the excess monsoon water from some of the sub-basins of the Chambal Basin for augmenting drinking water supply and irrigation for several districts, improving agricultural output, and meeting industrial water demand.
Objectives of ERCP
- Water Supply and Irrigation: The major goal of the ERCP is to encourage water transfer within the River Basin. This is meant to divert excess monsoon water from the surplus Kalisindh,Parvati, Mej and Chakan basins to water starved areas of Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati. This he feels will help the thirteen districts in eastern Rajasthan which includes Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Dhaulpur, Bharatpur, Dausa, Alwar, Jaipur, and Ajmer. The project is estimated to bring about 2.82 lakh hectares of culturable land—development of a new command area and stabilizing the current irrigation projects.
- Economic Impact: Stating the proposed ERCP to cost more than ₹40,000 crore, it is envisaged that the investment will stimulate the economy of the region by raising the productivity of agricultural produce and ensuring stable supply of water to industries. This is especially critical given that Rajasthan is a dry state, with severe water scarcity and depends on monsoon rainfall to carry out farming.
Recent Developments
- Discussion Between Rajasthan CM and Union Minister: The Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma met Union Minister CR Paatil on 25-09-2024 to review the ERCP situation and further roadmap. There is a promise and willingness at both state and central levels to fast track this project as this meeting shows. Key issues concerning the talks included the specifics of the detailed project report (DPR), in view of the prospects for construction and possible funding.
- Government Commitment: ERF has claimed that the Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has stated in a public meeting that the current government has five years in ERCP once construction starts. This commitment has come after a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the central government, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh state governments in the implementation of the project.
- Integration with National Projects Scheme: However, the initial barrier for the ERCP to become a national project was posed by the fact that its design was based on a dependable yield of 50% but not 75%. However, there has been a change of this position in the recent past. According to the National Perspective Plan of India, the modified proposal of combination of the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project and ERCP was given green signal in December 2022. This interconnection has enhanced the importance of ERCP as an important organization for interlinking priorites.
Future Prospects
- Moreover if implemented properly in the future ERCP carries the potential of revolutionising water management in eastern Rajasthan.
- It has the possibility not only to increase agricultural yields but also in provision of improved drinking water which is likely to improve quality of life.
- The coherent inclinations with the national projects may also open the possibilities for the further cooperation between states on the same projects.
Conclusion
The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project is one of the first steps in overcoming the long-standing problems with water shortages in eastern Rajasthan. Based on the observed communication between the state’s officials and the central power suggesting high levels of commitment, there is optimistic prediction regarding its future. Another key recommendation for future research is that the stakeholders should demonstrate a willingness to continue working together to overcome issues in order to accumulate new insights for the employed research project and benefit the regions of the UK.
Source: The Hindu