1. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Prepared by :
Vijay Singhal,
IAS

2. River Linking Project
Why ?

3. Inter linking of rivers
Inter linking of rivers as a solution for drought
and flood.
It was Sir Arthur Cotton who had originally
proposed the networking of rivers more than a
century ago.
Channelling the surplus water to underfed areas
will solve the perennial problem of floods and
droughts and bring a boom in employment.

4. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (ex- President of India)
“Instead of thinking of interlinking of rivers only at times of flood and drought, it’s time that we should implement this programme with a great sense of urgency.”

5. River Linking Project
“Of all the social and natural crisis we face, water crisis lie at the heart of our survival”
- Kochiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO

6. Map of Maharashtra

7. Map of Jalgaon District

8. Jalgaon District: Brief History
Jalgaon District is located in the north-west region of the state of Maharashtra
Bounded by Satpuda mountain ranges in the north and Ajanta mountain ranges in the south
Diverse climate
Exceptionally hot and dry in summer with temps up to 48° C

9. Jalgaon District: Brief History
Principle natural feature – Tapi River, which flows westward from headwaters in eastern Maharashtra and empties in the Arabian Sea
The Tapi receives 13 principal tributaries in its course through Khandesh
Most of Khandesh lies south of the Tapi
The Tapi is drained by its tributaries: the Girna, Bori and Anjani Rivers
The Tapi flows in a deep bed, historically making it difficult to use for irrigation

10. Situation.....
June and July 2005
Lots of clouds – but no rains!

11. Water Levels Down
July 2005
Water level drastically reduced in wells!

12. Land Drought This was the land situation !
June and July 2005
July 2005
Lots of clouds – but no rains!
This was the land situation !

13. Improper growth of crops due to insufficient rains
Stunted Crop Growth
July 2005
Improper growth of crops due to insufficient rains

14. Jalgaon: “River Linking Project”
Idea Generation and Concept:
Necessity is the Mother of Inventions!
In the Monsoon of 2005, there were insufficient rains in the Jalgaon district – while the Girna Dam (a major project situated in south west, adjoining the Nashik district) was overflowing because of heavy rains in Nashik district. So this water, which was otherwise going waste in the Arabian Sea through Jalgaon district, was diverted – it was then the idea of river linking generated...
Average Rainfall of Jalgaon District: MM

15. Necessity: Mother of Invention!
Bhokar Bari Medium Project
We’re thinking about how to solve the problem of drinking water in Parola Tah, Jalgaon District during this time of insufficient stocks of water...
In the meantime, Girna Dam in the adjoining district of Nashik, is at the verge of reaching its maximum capacity !
(post 15th July 2005)

16. Jalgaon: “River Linking Project”
How to bring the overflowing waters of Girna River using existing canals, channels, nalas and other links into the Bori, Anjani and Titur rivers?
Is it possible to refill Medium Projects, M.I. Projects, percolation tanks, village ponds, farm ponds, and mines on this route?
Planning after discussion with Irrigation Department Officials
Different solutions and ideas were discussed and compared
Proposal submitted to Government under scarcity fund
Government sanctioned Rs. 20 million
Implementation started immediately as per planning
Widening Nalla

17. Strategies Adopted
Diversion of surplus flood water into deficient basin:
160 villages dependent for drinking water on reservoirs were covered under this, (Bori dam covers the highly drought-prone areas of Dhule and Jalgaon districts)
Existing canals and other systems were utilised to the maximum capacity with minimum possible modifications
Existing canal systems (Jamda canals, Titur canals, Lower Girna canals,) with increased capacity and maximum discharge kept on flowing and diverting water to deficient storages
Use of gravity rather than pumping for diversion of water.
Girna Bori, Girna Titur, Girna Mhasva,Girna Anjani

18. Strategies Adopted...
Existing canal capacity was increased by raising canal banks with earth work; rugosity coefficient was improved by laying PVC paper of low cost at leaky portions
Aqueduct and syphons capacity increased by raising wall heights with B. B. masonry temporarily and PVC paper was laid in the channels to increase the rugosity coefficient
Low cost polyethene paper was used at canal apexes and in aqueduct beds, syphons to improve the rugosity coefficient (increase carrying capacity in turn with Jamda left Bank Canal, Panzan left Bank Canal, etc.)
Short Links – searched to divert the higher discharges, i.e., Panzan to Bori
Girna dam

19. Strategies Adopted...
New links wherever required were dug immediately – Jamda to Khadakesim, Jamda to Titur
Existing deficient storages got filled and canal water diverted to wells in command,
Reservoir capacity was increased to store maximum possible water by putting gunny bags on top of w. w. with calculated risk (i.e., no encroachment beyond high flood level and can be easily pulled down by simply wire rope in a flood situation)

20. Jalgaon: “River Linking Project”
Project Objectives
1. Providing water for drinking as well as irrigation purposes in the drought hit areas of Jalgaon district by using diverted excess overflowing water
2. Increase the efficiency of different water storage structures
3. Conserve the water by taking it through canals ducts, drains, nallas, natural drains etc. in the drought-prone areas
4. Carry out qualitative and quantitative assessment of water resource
5. Suggest suitable sites and methods for artificial recharge to augment ground water recharge in the area.

21. River Connectivity Project

22. River Linking Paths
Girna Dam-Panzan Left Canal – Water Passage (Nala) – Kanoli River – Bori River –Dhamangaon Bandhara – Budhgaon Bandhara- Bori River -Bori Dam. Distance: 68 km
Girna Dam – Girna River-Jamda Bandharas –J amda Left Canal – Parola Branch link cut Canal – Mhasva Minor irrigation pond – Link Cut – Bhokarbari Medium. Project Distance: 132 km
Girna Dam-Girna river-Jamda Bandhara-Jamda Right Canal-Parola Branch Canal –Water Passage (Nala) - Kala Bandhara – Anjani River. Distance: 127 km
Girna Dam-Girna River-Jamda Bandhara-Jamda Right Canal-Water Passage (Nala) – Titur River–Hol Bandhara–Balad Bandhara–Wadgaon Bandhara- Titur River. Distance: 84 km
Girna Dam- Girna River-Jamda Dam-Girna River-Dahigaon Bandhara- Lower Girna left Canal-Water Passage (Nala) -Anjani River-Pimri Bandhara. Distance: 186 km

23. River Linking Project
Work Done !

24. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done
To divert excessive overflowing water,
the work of stone breaking and digging was carried out on war footing to create additional channel

25. Work started on war footing Resulted in diversion of higher discharge
Jalgaon
Work started on war footing
Resulted in diversion of higher discharge

26. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done
PVC lining increased rugosity coefficient

27. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done

28. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done

29. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done

30. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done

31. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done
New Link Dug

32. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done
Canal carrying capacity increased by raising its height

33. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done
Carrying capacity of existing canals increased by raising bank height – these canals were then used for linking various rivers
Use of Canals for River Linking

34. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done
Panzhan Left Canal was cut here to divert Girna’s water in the Kanholi and then Bori river through Big Nala (water passage)

35. Jalgaon District “River Linking Project”
Work Done
Panzhan Left Canal was cut here to divert Girna’s water in Kanholi and then Bori river through Big Nala (water passage)

36. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Post Project Scenario

37. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Before
After

38. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Water overflowing the Weir

39. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Village pond filled up using Girna River water
(Rotwad Tal. Dharangaon)

40. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Water overflowing through Weir (Anjani River)

41. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Farm pond filled up using Girna River water (Tahsil : Dharangaon)

42. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Wichkhed Weir, Parola Municipal Council
Water Supply Source

43. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Water overflowing through Weir, Dahiwad Tal. Amalner, Dist. Jalgaon

44. Jalgaon District

45. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Benefits Received :
Helped solve the drinking water problem of 5 municipal councils and 128 villages
(dependent population = 8,23,500)
Increased water table in some Tahsils (even after less rainfall) –
over 16,000 wells recharged as endorsed by GSDA( Groundwater Survey Development Agency of Govt), in its report

46. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Life saver for almost lost crops!
Thousands of hectors of additional land irrigated; highest irrigation in the history of Jalgaon (about 35% more irrigated area) – even though 30% less than average rain fall
Area under irrigation:

47. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Contd..
Total of 4,486 Mcft (127Mm3) excessive overflowing water of Girna dam brought to use
- Cost of this water : Rs. 112 millions
This water filled:
2 medium projects,
5 M.I. projects, and
700 percolation tanks, K.T. weirs, farm ponds, and mines
Saved approximately Rs. 90 million of Water Scarcity Funds

48. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Indirect Benefits
Improved economic condition of farmers
Prohibited migration of local & poor people in search of jobs
Saved huge expenditure which would have been incurred to provide employment under Employment Guarantee Scheme of Govt.
Repaired canals – which further reduced seepages and other losses
Total benefits: Rs million, as per rough estimates – in one year only and these benefits are recurring every year.

49. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Benefits Received: -2 9 11 25 -5 5 10 15 20 30
Project Cost
Savings in tanker costs
Additional Storage
Increased benefit to
agriculturists
in Rs crs
Recurring Benefits

50. Jalgaon River Linking Project
RESOURCE CONVERGENCE : technical and financial
Following sources of funding were tapped:
Irrigation Deptt.: Funds for basic survey repair & maintenance
Jalgaon Collectorate: Scarcity funds (Head:2245)
Municipal Corporation/Councils : Internal resources for augmenting water availability for drinking
MP/MLA Local Area Development Scheme: For various developmental work
Land-owners, agricultural communities and citizen groups contribution

51. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Project Presentation to the
H.E. Smt. Pratibhatai Patil (President of India) and
Honorable Sh. Sharad Pawar (Union Minister for Agriculture)
by Vijay Singhal, IAS , Collector Jalgaon

52. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Project Presentation to Hon. Chief Minister and Dy. Chief Minister

53. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Watershed Development = Water Conservation + Diversion of Excess Water
Comments :
Unique innovative initiative at district level
Converging resources of different agencies towards the welfare of people of Jalgaon
Overwhelming response from the peoples’ representatives
Villagers contribution & participation in the process
No addition of water storage structures – only diversion by way of interlinking
Diligence in planning and focusing on sustainability
Permissible water used as per Inter-state agreement. So no chances of dispute

54. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Contd..
No deforestation.
No need for land acquisition – Zero land acquisition cost as land was donated by villagers on their own.
Use of local technical know-how and their expertise.
Circulation of water through canals provides additional benefits like conservation and percolation, which are highly beneficial to ecology w.r.t. temperature, additional greenery, etc.
Replicability : GoM issued order to implement it in all the districts and approved river linking as planned & regular scheme in DPC.
Govt of India approved it as MODEL PROJECT for replication in all the states of Country
Cost-effective, Citizen-friendly & Sustainable.

55. Jalgaon River Linking Project
Project Recognition :
The project outcomes appreciated by President of India H.E. Smt Pratibhatai Patil.
Appreciation by Hon. Sharad Pawar & Hon. C.M.of Maharashtra.
Dept of Adm Reforms, GoI identifies it as MODEL PROJECT & directed me to send copies (350 in all) of this project to Chief Secretaries of all states, all Secretary (Admn reforms), Parliament Library & 28 ATI,s in the Country for dissemination and replication.
Govt. of Maharashtra issued order to implement it in all the districts of Maharashtra.
Attended International River Symposium 2006 at Brisbane, Australia & presented there “Jalgaon River Linking Project”.
Delivered a keynote lecture on this project at an International Conference in Macau, China in 2007.
Provided lead discussion and presented innovative & pioneer work on Jalgaon River Linking project at State University of New York, Albany, USA and Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA in October, 2009
Invited by the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Hon. Smt Vasundhara Raje to share the experience. She also appreciated the efforts taken. She also visited Jalgaon to see River Linking Project.
Received Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Fellowship Award given by National Bhartiya Sahitya Academy for river linking project.

56. Jalgaon River Linking Project
SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY: by JalaSRI, a Watershed Surveillance and Research Institute (a third party agency)-
Conducted survey of 840 households in 42 villages in year 2007
Project is not only successful but also sustainable. Its benefits are still being enjoyed by the people.
This project is positively received by all sections of society
84.52% are in favour of river linking efforts.
53.92% farmers noticed considerable rise in water levels of their wells.
64.64% people have positive approach towards Govt. Agency
26.15% households actively participated in execution of the links contributing to 2142 man-days.
42.42% people reported increase in their employment opportunities

57. Jalgaon River linking project
Thank You
Jalgaon River linking project