Cauvery (Kattalai)-Vaigai-Gundar Link

Cauvery (Kattalai)-Vaigai-Gundar Link

Subject – Geography

Context – Karnataka opposes T.N.’s river­link proposal

Concept –

• Cauvery (Kattalai)-Vaigai-Gundar Link which forms a part of the scheme of transfer of surplus river water of Mahanadi and Godavari rivers to the deficit basins of Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery and Vaigai, is an important part of the various inter-basin water transfer proposals envisages under the Peninsular Rivers Development component of the National Perspective Plan.
• Cauvery–Vaigai Link Canal Project is a project envisioned by the Government of Tamil Nadu, linking Kaveri and Vaigai rivers.
• Tamil Nadu depends heavily on the rivers flowing from the neighboring states of Kerala and Karnataka.
• State government started this project linking Kaveri and Vaigai rivers which would benefit during the drier seasons.
• Project involves construction of a 60-kilometre (158.82 mi) long canal from Mayanur in Karur district to link river Kaveri with Vaigai.
• National Water Development Agency, the gravity canal will provide water for irrigating an additional area of 3.38 lakh hectares and for domestic and industrial water supply.
• The Cauvery – Vaigai – Gundar link project lies entirely in Tamil Nadu State.
• This link is an integral part of the Mahanadi – Godavari – Krishna -Pennar – Cauvery – Vaigai – Gundar link, which envisages transfer of surplus Mahanadi and Godavari waters that would be brought into the Krishna river to Pennar and from there to Palar, Cauvery, Gundar etc.
• Hence, a broad consensus amongst the States of Orissa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry has to be reached before taking up the project.