Water Disputes and River Linking

5.1 Inter-State River Water Disputes

Water disputes between Indian states arise from the allocation of river water from shared basins. The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (amended 2002) provides for tribunals. Key disputes are summarised below.

River/Dispute	States Involved	Status
Cauvery/Kaveri	Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry	CWDT award 1991; SC Final Order Feb 2018: Karnataka gets 14.75 TMC extra; Tamil Nadu gets 177.25 TMC per year
Narmada	MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan	NWDT award 1979; Sardar Sarovar completed 2017; still ongoing displacement issues
Krishna	Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP, Telangana	KWDT-I (1976), KWDT-II (2010); divided after Telangana bifurcation
Godavari	Maharashtra, AP, Karnataka, MP, Odisha	GWDT award 1980
Ravi-Beas	Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan	Incomplete SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) Canal still disputed

5.2 Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) Project

National Perspective Plan (NPP): Prepared by National Water Development Agency (NWDA) to link 30 river links — reduce floods in surplus regions and provide water to deficit regions.

Ken-Betwa Link (First Approved)

• Links Ken (Panna, MP) to Betwa (UP) via a canal
• Project cost: Rs 44,605 crore; approved December 2021
• Will irrigate 8.11 lakh ha in MP and UP; supply drinking water; 103 MW power
• Controversial: Passes through Panna Tiger Reserve — displacing tigers; submerging 5,803 ha of Panna's core zone

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