Proposed plan for Satluj-Ghaggar-Yamuna-Jojari-Luni-Sabarmati River link channels
Dr. Narpat Singh Rathore Department of Geography, College of Social Sciences & Humanities, Mohanlal Sukhadia University,Udaipur - 313 001 (Raj.) India Fax : + 91 294 2415200 Phone: +91 294 2426548 (R), +91 294 2414707 (O), E-mail : rathorens@yahoo.com Abstract In the proposed plan the main focus is to harness the water resources potential of Perennial River flowing in the Himalayan region in order to irrigate the Western desert part of India. During the rainy season large amount of floodwater is available in Himachal Himalaya and Uttaranchal areas. This water can be diverted without lifting to the arid and semi arid region of Rajasthan and Gujarat states and also utilizes the water for irrigation proposes. With the implementation of proposed Maru-Ganga project, the above objective can be achieved, which would initiate multitudinist development and uplifting the socio-economic status of the region. The significance of the plan could be compared to the status of the Kaveri River in south India and Nile River in Egypt. After implementation of this plan, the rivers of North India will be linked with Southern India rivers through Rajasthan desert with help of newly identified Satlus, Ghaggar, Yamuna, Jojari, Luni and Sabarmati link Maru-Ganga Channel. Desert soil area linked with fertile black soil region of Southern India through this new plan. To complete the proposed plan it will be possible only with the help of special financial assistance from the World Bank in three stages. In first stage Ghaggar channel, in second stage Yamuna channel and finally the third stage Sabarmati link channel can be made and complete the whole plan. After that the Western India will be largest food grain producing and irrigated area of the world. This New River channel will join Himalayas, Desert and sea. In the 21st century the important event will take place if joining of these three major geographical regions of Indian sub-continent by the new identified channel. With the implementation of the proposed project about 15 lakh hectare of land would come under irrigation and increasing food grain production to 25 lakh tons. About 5 lakh hectare Land would get converted into pastures and grazing land. In an area of about 60,000 sq.kms. The ground water level would rise to higher level. The present investigation was carried out with the help of Remote Sensing Technique with limited ground truth and SOI sheet on a scale of 1:1,25,000 were used for mapping. In this plan the main focus is upon harnessing the water resource potential of perennial river originating from the Himalayas in order to irrigate the arid and semi-arid part of north-west India. This plan is for preparing the development plan for Indian desert and semi-desert regions through diverting the flood waters of the Himachal Himalayas and Uttranchal without lifting towards Western Rajasthan and Northern Gujarat Plains. After the implementation of the proposed plan, north-west India will be largest food grain producing and irrigated area of the world. The significance of the plan could be compared to the status of the Kaveri River in South India and Nile River in Egypt. The proposed identified new Maru-Ganga river's Channel length will be near about 15 hundred km right from Himachal Himalayas to Gulf of Cambay of Arbian Sea in Gujarat State. However, after the Brahmaputra, Ganga and Godawari rivers the new Maru-Ganga river will be the 4th Major river of India in length. The proposed Maru-Ganga river will be 16th major river in terms of length in the Asian continent and 30th river in the world. This river will carry water of Himalayas through Indian desert and ultimately merge in the Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat State. After implementation of this plan, the north-west India will get permanent relief from natural calamities like flood, famine and drought. After implementation of the plan cattle migration will stop, saline water will be converted into potable water, and under ground water level will rise, protect the cattle wealth of the region, produce additional foodgrains, green vegetable and fruit. The Bhakra, Gang and Indira Gandhi canal command area will get permanent relief from water logging problem. With this plan Bahawalpur region of Pakistan and Delhi Indian national capital region will get relief from flooding during rainy season of Ghaggar and Yamuna river respectively. During the rainy season, large amount of floodwater is available in the Himachal Himalayas and the Uttrakhand region of the Himalayas. This flood water goes waste through the Ghaggar and the Yamuna river respectively into Pakistan and the Bay of Bengal. For the development of the Indian desert and semi desert areas this floodwater can be diverted without lifting towards Rajasthan and the North Gujarat Plain. The floodwater of Punjab rivers and also the Yamuna river can be diverted through three link channels (enclosed Figure ). These link channels are the Ghaggar link channel, the Yamuna link channel and the Sabarmati link channel. Through these channels the Himalayan diverted flood water will reach the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Cambay. The details of proposed newly identified channels are: Ghaggar Link Channel: The arid and semi arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat state can get many million cubic meters of water through proper management and diversion of Himalayan water. In rainy season large amount of floodwater flows into the Ghaggar river. This flood water can be diverted by the removal of soil from Hanumangarh to Pallu, Napasar, Deshnok, Chadi, Danwara, Jodhpur or Pallu, Sardar Shahar, Tal-Chapper, Nagaur , Asop, Bhopalgarh, Jodhpur or Nagaur to Merta by the removel of soil. By these route the Himalayan water can be dropped into Jojari-Mithari river. Ultimately this diverted water flowing naturally will reach near Salawas or Khejari Khurd and meet with Luni river.
Yamuna Link Channel: In the same rainy season the Uttarakhand region of Himalayas also gets large amount of water due to heavy rain and flood situation occurs in the Yamuna river every year. This flood water of Yamuna river which is released from Tejawala feeder can be diverted from Sonipat by removing the soil of Rohatak, Mahendragarh and Hissar districts of Haryana state and Jhujhunu, Mandawa, Mukundgarh, Sikar, Didwana, Degana and Merta in Nagaur district. The diverted water will reach Merta and join with Mithari-Jojari river. From Merta onwards this Yamuna water which will naturally flow and go towards Ghaggrana; Ghorawat, Pipar and Bisalpur. This Yamuna water will meet with Luni river near Jodhpur at Khejarli-Khurd. However, the Ghaggar and Yamuna diverted flood water will meet near Khejarli Khurd or Luni village with Luni river. This water will reach Samdari, Balotra, Sindari, Dhorimana, Guda and ultimately reach near Sanchore in Jalor district. Sabarmati Link Channel: However, that proportion of the Himalayan water which is flowing in the Luni river and which goes into Rann of Kachch through delta will remain unharnessed. So by the third channel constructed by the removal of soil from Sanchore to Dissa, Palanpur, Sidhpur, Mesana and Ahmedabad of Gujarat State, the Luni river can be linked with Sabarmati river. By this way, the joining of the Himalayan water with new proposed channel, in the Northwest India of the Indian sub-continent will be called Maru-Ganga. In the Luni-basin and Nothern Gujarat by the implementation of this plan the area will produce large amount of Coconut, Banana, Mango, Date, Green Vegetable, Spices and milk. Due to the availability of solar and wind energy alongwith Himalayan water new Industries can be established in the study area. In the state of Rajasthan the Hanumangarh, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Nagaur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Pali, Barmer and Jalore districts will get additional irrigation of 12 lakhs hectares land, 5 lakhs hectares of grazing land, 50 thousand sq. km underground water will be re-charged and 25 lakhs tons additional foodgrain can be produced every year. In the Gujarat State, Banaskanta, Dissa, Palanpur, Sidhpur and Ahmedabad will also get additional irrigation facilities for 2 lakh hectares, in 10 thousand sq. km underground water level will be re-charged and 5 lakhs tonnes foodgrain will be produced. The proposed river channel will protect wild life and migratory birds of this region and also conserve the environment and eco-system of the surrounding area of the new Maru-Ganga channel. The area which falls between the Thar Desert and Aravalli mountain region like Churuthal, Shekhawati, Shalkh or Nagaur upland, Marwar, Godwar, Malani and northern Gujarat where the agriculture land will be irrigated by the diverted Himalayan water. After implementation of this plan, the rivers of North India will be linked with Southern India rivers through Rajasthan desert with help of newly identified Ghaggar, Yamuna and Sabarmati link Maru-Ganga Channel. Desert soil area linked with fertile black soil region of Southern India through this new plan. To complete the proposed plan it will be possible only with the help of special financial assistance from the Central Government in collaboration with State Government in three stages. In first stage Ghaggar channel, in second stage Yamuna channel and finally the third stage Sabarmati link channel can be made and complete the whole plan. After that the Western India will be largest foodgrain producing and irrigated area of the world. This new river channel will join Himalayas, Desert and sea. In the 21st century the important event will take place if joining of these three major geographical regions of Indian sub-continent by the new identified channel. References
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