Introduction

Rajasthan and MP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti to execute the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (Modified PKC-ERCP) Link Project.

About Modified PKC-ERCP Project

Inter-link: The Modified PKC-ERCP is an inter-state river linking project, with preparations underway for a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Integration Purpose: This project aims to integrate the long-pending PKC river link project with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) under the national perspective plan of the interlinking of rivers (ILR) program initiated by the Government of India.
Update: This MoU will cover aspects such as water sharing, cost-benefit sharing, water exchange, and implementation mechanisms in the Chambal basin.

Inclusion in National Plan: The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project is one of the 30 links listed in the National Perspectives Plan, established by the former Union Ministry of Irrigation (now Ministry of Water Resources) and the Central Water Commission in 1980.
Historical Progress: The preliminary feasibility report for the Kalisindh-Chambal link canal project was prepared in 1991. It proposed diverting water from river Newaj and Kalisindh to the river Chambal, either at the Rana Pratap Sagar dam or the Gandhi Sagar dam.
ERCP Proposal: Rajasthan introduced the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) in 2019, aiming to optimize water resources.
Merging of projects: Subsequently, the Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers (TFILR) explored merging the ERCP with the PKC link project, an integration approved by the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers in December 2022.

Project Objective: The ERCP targets intra-basin water transfer within the Chambal basin. It utilizes surplus monsoon water from subbasins like Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej, and Chakan, diverting it to water-deficient sub-basins such as Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga, and Parbati.
Beneficiary Regions: The ERCP provides drinking and industrial water to 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan, including Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai-Madhopur, Dausa, Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bundi, Kota, Baran, and Jhalawar.

Drinking and Industrial Water: The Modified PKC-ERCP project aims to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 eastern Rajasthan districts, Malwa, and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh.
Irrigation: It also supports irrigation across a significant area in both states, totalling 5.6 lakh hectares or more.

Dependable Yield Norms: The project’s planning was initially based on 50% dependable yield, contrary to the prevailing norm of 75% dependable yield for inter-state river projects.
Integration Proposal: In November 2019, the Task Force on Interlinking of Rivers proposed exploring the integration of ERCP with the PKC Link Canal Project, following deliberations and consensus between both states.
Modified PKC Link Proposal: As a result of these discussions, a proposal for the Modified PKC link project was formulated, combining components from the Government of MP and ERCP, designed for 75% dependable water availability.