Inter-Basin Water Transfer for Augmentation of Water Resources in India

Assessment of freshwater resource of a country is based on aggregation of rainfall and runoff figures for each of its drainage river basin. This natural resource is required for various uses by its people, irrespective of where the y live. They may be living in dense urban clusters or sparsely habitated rural areas - within a river basin or across it where water is in short supply. Often, the place of human habitat is due to a historical accident. But, making the required water available in needed quantity, of certain quality, at the place of their residence or work, and at needed time is the duty of the society and is possible if the water resource is developed and managed in an integrated and sustainable manner: equitably, economically and efficiently. The process is broadly termed as Integrated Water Resources Development and Management which includes both within basin and inter-basin water transfer. Although the inter-basin water transfer has been adopted in India since long, it was formalized and elaborated in 1987 and revised it in 2002, through the National Water Policy. An action plan for implementation of the National Water Policy is since under way.