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GIS and Visualisation Capabilities for Interlinking of Indian Rivers
Network Analysis The other more specialised spatial analysis functions provided by GIS are the network routines. These routines were basically developed for transportation planning and allocation analyses. Shortest route and least cost path analysis are common examples of network functions. Canal alignment can be finalised using this technique. Optimum and shortest possible options can be determined before execution. Using the network routines, it is possible to make an analysis of the movement of the resources from one location to another. Inputs to routine are the river network configuration, source of river (u/s end), outlet of the river and constraints upon the movement of resources across the network. Transport of water through a system of link canals can be modelled by network functions. Alignments of canal, Reservoir projects and water use for command area and domestic purpose en route of the canal. Visibility analysis can be made using Network analysis capabilities of GIS. GIS to solve the Issues of Interlinking Technical Issues Drinking water supply to towns and villages enroute It is worthwhile to plan for domestic water supply to towns and villages enroute. Water supply network can be planned in GIS environment to carry out route tracing and resources allocation. People may come forward to get the consensus of concerned socio-political authorities, as they get water. Water allocation for irrigation Optimum usage of water for irrigation has to be facilitated by distribution channels up to the agricultural field from the link canals. This involves planning of field channel network so as to divert the water from the main link canal. Quantity of water can be metered and monitored. The above aspect can be very well planned using network analysis capability of GIS. Command area development Command area development involves suggesting cropping pattern to suite the region, providing proper drainage system, soil conservation, and water harvesting and credit system for the farmers and related activities. This also involves evaluation of present cropping pattern, irrigation facilities and related aspects of the command area. The spatial analysis capabilities of GIS will offer excellent facilities towards the planning of the command area along with the link canals. Hydropower development The possibility of exploration of hydropower has to be taken into account, since it will be difficult after interlinking the rivers. Economically exploitable hydro potential assessed by Central Electricity Authority is 84,040 MW. But, electricity developed so far is only 21.5%, leaving about 78.5% yet to be harnessed. The east flowing and west flowing rivers of southern peninsular regions offer excellent scope for hydropower development. Using GIS capabilities, the task of site selection for Hydel power plant can be made. The combined use of overlay technique and DEM will be very much useful for planning of power plants along the route of link canals. Navigation Many of the river links will also constitute National waterways. The Brahmaputra – Mahanadi link will be a major step in augmenting inland water transport. Inland waterways Authority of India has developed various important water ways such as Allahabad to Haldia, and Sadiya to Dhubri of Brahmaputra river. Techno- economic studies for waterways along the link canals can be planned for, before the execution of the project and necessary technical provisions can be made while executing the project. Network analysis capabilities of GIS can be explored for planning waterways with the link canals. Environmental Issues Land submergence The extent of land submergence due to the alignment of the canal and construction of reservoirs and hydraulic structures can be assessed before the initiation of project so that alternatives can be planned accordingly. The spatial assessment of submerged land can be analysed with the functionalities of GIS. Forest Cover Forest cover in India mostly lies in Mountainous regions. Forest areas that will be affected due to the alignment of the canal and construction of reservoirs and other hydraulic structures will be assessed. Deforestation can be avoided to maximum extent possible. Remote Sensing and GIS, in an integrated manner can be utilised for the above assessment. Ground truth verification is very difficult for forest cover assessment. The virtual GIS derived from contours and high-resolution satellite data will greatly assist for simulation of forest cover assessment as if in the real situation. Ecology Ecological aspects consist of studying the rare species located in the project area. The project canals, reservoirs and other irrigation structures may be planned accordingly so that the species are not affected to the maximum extent possible. GIS will support for the spatial analysis of the above feature. Areas of concern and modifications required in the project can be easily reviewed with the use of GIS database of the entire project. Water logging and Soil Salinity Soil salinity and water logging along the canal alignment has to be studied in detail so as to avoid those zones or to suggest remedial measures. Study of those spatial problems along with soil characteristics can be made using GIS. Lining of canals can be planned according to the zones. The problems zones can be identified mapped and planned accordingly. Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Land acquisition and rehabilitation include payment of compensation for land, houses and properties acquired, allotment of agricultural land and house plots at new sites, free transport for shifting to new site, payment of ex-gratia, rehabilitation grant, subsistence allowance, development assistance, ration card issued at new R&R site and civil amenities provided at new site. Spatial database consisting of land and persons affected due to the project can developed in GIS environment. The spatial analysis capabilities of GIS will speedup the completion of entire process of Land acquisition and other aspects of Relief and Rehabilitation. Socio-Economic Issues At present 80% of the people live in rural India and most of them directly and indirectly depends on agro based activities. In most of the drought prone states, rural people live below poverty and under nourished. Due to water deficit most of the people particularly farmers and agricultural labourers are left with no means for their livelihood. This sort of acute scarcity will be reduced by irrigation from link canals. As irrigation facilities increases in the regions through which the link canals passes, the economic status of the rural people will be elevated. Particularly agriculture and related activities will fetch a good living condition to the rural people. The spatial socio-economic assessment with respect to various issues such as gender, social status of the people, cropping pattern, traditional practices with respect to occupation, and other related aspects at micro level can be made using GIS for the upliftment and development of the rural people of India. GIS based Decision Support System for Interlinking of Rivers Decision Support System (DSS) can be developed using GIS to solve various issues Interlinking of Indian Rivers. The issues can be grouped into modules such as Technical, Environmental, Socio-economic, and Political. These modules consist of various alternative solutions made using the powerful functionalities of GIS. Figure 4 shows the Schematic representation of Decision Support System for Interlinking of Rivers. The developed DSS can provide strategic, tactical, and operational level information that will be useful for intelligent project planning. Various categories of people right from Farmers, Politicians, Water managers, Engineers and administrators can get the wide range of meaningful information from the developed DSS. When putting this system on a web, people can browse the entire project in their desktop and ascertain the benefits. The cost for creating such a system will come around only 1/1000th of the total cost of the interlinking project which is justifiable.  Figure 4 Decision Support System for Interlinking of Rivers Conclusion As Floods and Droughts are inseparable hydrological components of our country, it is wise to use the available resource in a more distributed manner within the country. India is an agricultural country and its economy depends mostly on agriculture. But agriculture is gambled by monsoon. To utilise the resources to the maximum extent possible, interlinking of rivers is the only option. At this modern computer age, it is appropriate to use powerful methodology such as GIS combined with Remote Sensing and other softwares to make the planning of huge task of interlinking of rivers easier and effectively. Following are the conclusions of the present paper.
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