It is heartening to note that prominent societies like Water Management Forum (WMF-IEI). New Delhi Centre-World Water Council (NDC WWC). Indian Water Resources Society (IWRS). Indian Water Works Association (IWWA), Indian Association of Hydrologists (IAH). Indian Hydraulics Association (IHA). Society of Water Management (SIWAM). Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI), Indian Society of Rock Mechanics and Tunneling Technology (ISRMTT), Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CHIP), Council of Power Utilities (CPU) have already joined this Coordination Committee for coordinated efforts in pursuing water related concerns of our country besides jointly organizing various events al different centers.

In our country where youth constitute about halt of our total population, their contribution and participation in water management and related issues is also of Paramount importance. Needless to say that voluntary organizations working in the area o f betterment of women must also relate to this problem.

A series of National and States level Round Table meets on 'Interlinking of Indian Rivers and Indian Constitution - Challenges and Prospects (SIRIC)', are being planned starting with a two day Workshop at New Delhi in early march. 2003 to be followed by States' and Regional level Round Table meets in march, under the joint auspices of Water Management Forum (WMF) and Stale as well as Local Centers of The Institution of. Engineers ( India ) (IEI) culminating with two days' deliberations again at New Delhi towards the end of March/ early April, 2003.

As a prelude, this Theme paper has been developed by Shri A D Mohile. Former Chairman, Central Water Commission and former Director General. NWDA. His pioneering efforts are gratefully acknowledged. Our interaction with senior experts from various disciplines helped a lot in identifying the crucial issues It would have been impossible to bring out this publication and sustain various activities of WMF without continued support by Shri R S Goel. Convener of Programmes. WMF and Convener, Coordination Committee, WRNPSs; I would like to note here that Shri Goel had taken leave from his normal duties for all round efforts in inter-linking the professional societies and coordinating the activities for the great noble cause.

Another thrust area is of Fresh Water. The UN has declared the year 2003 as a Year of 'Fresh water'. The IEI and all professional societies need to take active role in various events and programme launched on February 5. 2003 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister.

It gives me nil confidence that the issues brought out in this theme paper will initiate a nation wide informed discussion and help in I hi- tremendous task ahead of providing total water security to our great nation and prosperity for future generations.

February 9. 2003 (V B PATEL)
New Delhi Co-Chairman.

Co-ordination Committee Water Related Professional Societies &
Chairman. Water Management Forum IEI and
Former Chairman. Central Water Commission

10 BACKGROUND AND SCOPE

1.1 Background

1.1.1 The various proposals involving inter-basin transfers within India on a large scale have been and are being studied for about last 40 years. In the 1970s, Dr. K.L.Rao, the then Minister for Irrigation & Power prepared proposals for the National water Grid.. His proposals better known as the Ganga Kaveri Link consisted of 2640 Km link from Ganga near Patna to transfer the Ganga waters during high flow to the south. The proposal also envisaged the Brahmaputra Ganga Link and Western Link- Another proposal which received considerable publicity was that of Captain Dastur. This proposal better known as the Garland Canal consisted of a 4200 Km long Himalayan Canal , a 9300 Km long Southern Garland Canal and a connection between the two systems through pipelines near Delhi and Patna .

1.1.2 After study of these proposals, the Ministry of Irrigation and the Central water

Commission in 1980 prepared a National Perspective Plan comprising of two component-, namely i) The Himalayan River Component and ii) The Peninsular River Component. The outline of the National Perspective Plan was widely discussed at political level and a decision was taken by the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi to start studies immediately on the Peninsular component since that component could he implemented by India on its own.