The big picture

No explanation has been provided how this is to be managed. Such a project should have been preceded by . a study of:

1. Financial Viability
2. Technological Capability
3. Ecological Sustainability
4. Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment.

The NWDA plan has divided the project into two broad 'components' - the Himalayan part with 14 river links estimated at Rs. 375,000 crores and the Peninsular component with 17 river links estimated at Rs. 185,000 crores.

Not only does the economics of the plan appear to be extremely improbable, but serious reservations are also raised about its claims. Let us look at two of these claims, that of flood control and the assumption that the Ganga , Brahamputra, Mahanadi and Godavari are "water surplus".