Modified PKC-ERCP Link Project

• Context (IE): Modified PKC-ERCP Project MoU was signed between Centre, Rajasthan and MP.
• Both projects are integrated under the national perspective plan of the interlinking of rivers (ILR).

Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) Link Project

• This project was planned to interlink Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC).
• The 1991 report proposed the diversion of water from river Newaj (a tributary of Kalisindh) and Kalisindh to the river Chambal.

Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP)

• It is aimed at the intra-basin transfer of water within the Chambal basin.
• It utilises surplus monsoon water available in Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej and Chakan subbasins and diverts it into water deficit sub-basins of Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati.
• It will provide drinking & industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan, i.e. Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai-Madhopur, Dausa, Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bundi, Kota, Baran, and Jhalawar.
• This will also benefit the Malwa and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh.
• Rajasthan has only 1.16% of India’s surface water and 1.72% of groundwater, with only the Chambal River basin having surplus water.
• It will cover 23.67 % of the area of Rajasthan along with 41.13 % of the population of the state.

Dependable Yield Issue

• Dependable yield means the maintainability of water supply from the source.
• Norms mandate inter-state river projects to have at least 75% dependable yield.
• However, before modification, the dependable yield was 50%.
• Modified PKC link, along with components of ERCP, have attained the divertible water available at 75 per cent dependability.