RAS question
Which rivers does ERCP plan to interlink?
Correct answer: (B) Chambal-Parbati-Kalisindh-Banas-Banganga.
ERCP plans to interlink the Chambal-Parbati-Kalisindh system with the Banas-Banganga side of eastern Rajasthan's water-deficit sub-basins.
Explanation
ERCP is best understood as a Chambal Basin transfer project, not as a random pairing of Rajasthan rivers. The cited PIB release says the project envisages intra-basin transfer within the Chambal Basin, using surplus monsoon water available in the Kalisindh and Parvati sub-basins and diverting it towards water-deficit sub-basins including Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati. This transfer is to be done through canals and tunnels. The Chambal-Parbati-Kalisindh-Banas-Banganga combination captures the source side of the ERCP link and the eastern Rajasthan deficit basins it is meant to serve.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Luni-Banas does not match ERCP because ERCP links Chambal, Parbati and Kalisindh with Banas-Banganga-side deficit basins, while Luni is not part of that transfer.
- (C) Ghaggar-Luni is wrong because neither Ghaggar nor Luni is part of the ERCP river-link or the PIB account of the project.
- (D) Mahi-Chambal is wrong because ERCP operates within the Chambal Basin and involves Kalisindh, Parvati, Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati, not Mahi.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan water-resource geography, especially river basins and interlinking projects. It recurs in RAS because ERCP connects physical geography with drinking-water, irrigation and regional planning questions for eastern Rajasthan.