History

Interlinking of Rivers as a solution for drought and flood is not a new proposal. It was Sir Arthur Cotton who had originally proposed the networking of rivers more than a century ago, and Dr. K. L. Rao, the Minister of Power and Irrigation in the Cabinet of Indira Gandhi, revived this proposal in 1972. Both were no doubt eminent engineers. Sir Cotton's prime concern was for inland navigational network and Dr. Rao's concern was for irrigation and power. Neither could perceive that far wider issues were involved.

Mr. Rao presented his plan to link the Ganga and Cauvery. In 1974, a similar proposal ' Garland Canal ' was submitted by Captain Dinshaw J. Dastur, an air pilot. The Government prepared its own plan in 1980 and in 1982; the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was set up to carry out detailed studies. It envisioned a 30 year plan but following the Supreme Court directive, the Task Force has published a time table which lists 2016 as the date for completion.