Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken?
Contents13
- ACauvery and Tungabhadra
- BGodavari and Krishna
- CMahanadi and Son
- DNarmada and Tapti
Show answer
Answer: (B) Godavari and Krishna
Answer: (b) Godavari and Krishna
The Godavari-Krishna river linking was in news because of the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme in Andhra Pradesh.
Key facts:
The AP government under CM Chandrababu Naidu initiated a project to divert surplus Godavari water to the Krishna river basin through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme.
It started on September 16, 2015 and was India's first major river-linking project to be completed.
Why not the others?
- (a) Cauvery and Tungabhadra - No such linking was undertaken recently.
- (c) Mahanadi and Son - No such recent project.
- (d) Narmada and Tapti - No such recent linking.
The broader context:
India has a long-term National River Linking Project.
The Godavari-Krishna link was one of the first to actually be implemented on the ground.
The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme in Andhra Pradesh was India's first completed major river-linking project, transferring Godavari surplus water to Krishna river basin.
This project was launched in September 2015 under CM Chandrababu Naidu and became a major current affairs topic in 2015-16, making it exam-relevant.
UPSC is testing awareness of actual implemented projects versus the theoretical National River Linking Project that has been discussed for decades.
Godavari-Krishna River Linking Project
Geography Godavari and Krishna linking
Godavari-Krishna River Linking: Pattiseema Project & UPSC Facts
Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme was India's first completed major river linking project
Started September 16, 2015 under Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh
Diverts surplus Godavari water to Krishna basin through lift irrigation
Part of the broader National River Linking Project of India
What It Is
The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme connects the Godavari and Krishna rivers by lifting surplus water from the Godavari at Polavaram and transferring it to the Krishna basin. This was India's first major river linking project to actually be completed on the ground.
Project Details
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Launch Date | September 16, 2015 |
State | Andhra Pradesh |
Chief Minister | N. Chandrababu Naidu |
Method | Lift irrigation (pumping water uphill) |
Source Point | Godavari at Polavaram |
Destination | Krishna river basin |
Significance | First completed river linking project in India |
River Linking Geography
Source: nickeled and dimed — River Interlinking: Reflections from the Case Study of the ... · nickledanddimed.com
Question Connection
This project was in news around 2015-2016, making it the correct answer for "recently undertaken" river linking. The other river pairs mentioned had no such recent linking projects completed.
Cauvery-Tungabhadra linking sounds plausible (both South Indian rivers) but no such project exists
Mahanadi-Son linking is geographically possible but not undertaken recently
Narmada-Tapti flow parallel to each other - linking would be complex and wasn't done
National River Linking Project
Geography river linking linking
National River Linking Project: Components & Current Status
30 river links planned under National River Linking Project
Two components: 14 Himalayan links + 16 Peninsular links
Ken-Betwa link is the next major project under implementation
Aims to transfer water from surplus basins to deficit areas
Concept
India's National River Linking Project aims to connect rivers through canals and reservoirs to transfer water from surplus basins to water-deficit regions. The project addresses regional water imbalances across India.
Two Components
Component | Number of Links | Key Features | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
Himalayan | 14 links | Connect Ganga-Brahmaputra system | Ganga-Yamuna link |
Peninsular | 16 links | Connect peninsular rivers | Godavari-Krishna (completed), Ken-Betwa (ongoing) |
Implementation Status
Godavari-Krishna (Pattiseema) - completed in 2015 - India's first success
Ken-Betwa link - currently under implementation with ₹44,605 crore budget
Most other links are still in planning/survey stage due to interstate disputes
National Water Development Agency (NWDA) is the nodal agency for implementation
Don't assume all 30 links are being implemented - only Ken-Betwa and Godavari-Krishna have made real progress
Himalayan vs Peninsular - remember the 14+16 split for numerical questions
NWDA is the implementing agency, not Central Water Commission which only does planning
Major Peninsular Rivers of India
Geography Godavari Krishna Cauvery Tungabhadra Narmada Tapti
Peninsular Rivers: Classification & Key Features
Godavari is the longest peninsular river (1465 km)
Krishna is second longest peninsular river (1400 km)
Narmada & Tapti flow west, others flow east to Bay of Bengal
Tungabhadra is a major tributary of Krishna river
East vs West Flowing Rivers
Direction | Rivers | Destination | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
East Flowing | Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery | Bay of Bengal | Form large deltas, longer courses |
West Flowing | Narmada, Tapti | Arabian Sea | Flow through rift valleys, shorter courses |
River Details
River | Length (km) | Origin | Major States | Key Tributary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Godavari | 1465 | Nashik, Maharashtra | Maharashtra, Telangana, AP | Indravati |
Krishna | 1400 | Mahabaleshwar | Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP | Tungabhadra |
Cauvery | 800 | Coorg, Karnataka | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu | Kabini |
Narmada | 1312 | Amarkantak, MP | MP, Gujarat | None major |
Tapti | 724 | Multai, MP | MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat | Purna |
Peninsular Drainage Map
Source: India Map — River Map of India | River System in India | Himalayan Rivers ... · www.mapsofindia.com
Tungabhadra is a tributary of Krishna, not an independent river - don't pair them as separate rivers
Godavari is longer than Krishna - remember 1465 > 1400 km
Only Narmada & Tapti flow west among major peninsular rivers - rest flow east