1. BRAHMAPUTRA-GODAVARI LINK
By Manoj Kumar Sinha
Former Executive Member, Narmada Control Authority and
Chief Engineer, Central Water Commission, New Delhi
Presently working as Senior Consultant, NWDA

2. Outline of presentation
Background
Interdependency of Himalayan links
Different Series of Dependency and JTF link (Alternative to MSTG)
MSTG Link, Part of Series-I
Comparative study of three Scenarios of MSTG
Links under consideration
Proposed transfer from various links based on PFR of MSTG
Proposed transfer from various links based on Draft FR of MSTG
Issues Involved
Conclusion

3. Background of Himalayan links and need for its prioritization
IDENTIFIED LINKS OF NWDA UNDER NPP
In 1980, MOWR & CWC prepared a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for water resources development involving inter-basin transfer of water. The NPP comprised of two main components- (a) Himalayan River Development and (b) Peninsular River Development.
Subsequently, NWDA identified 30 links under NPP out of which 14 links are part of Himalayan component whereas remaining 16 links are part of Peninsular links.
From the inception of NWDA, emphasis has remained on Peninsular links on the plea that these links do not involve international aspect.
NEED FOR PRIORITISATION OF HIMALAYAN LINKS
In fact, NWDA was setup as an autonomous Society in the year 1982 with initial mandate of carrying out prefeasibility/ feasibility studies of Peninsular links only. About ten year later, the studies of Himalayan component was added to NWDA’s mandate.
The whole planning of Peninsular links is based on surplus water of Mahanadi and Godavari rivers. With the changing political scenario in the country and tough stand being taken by Odisha and Telengana, the implementation of Peninsular links does not appear feasible.
As such, Himalayan links which were in back seat would have to be prioritised and brought forward not only to ensure their implementation but also to ensure implementation of some of the Peninsular links.

4. Proposed Inter-Basin Water Transfer Links

5. Interdependency of Himalayan links
Dependent Links (Series-I)-Under Himalayan component, there are three links, which are dependent on single link, i.e. Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga (MSTG) link. These links are: (i) Farakka-Sunderbans link, (ii) Ganga (Farakka)-Damodar-Subernrekha link, and (iii) Subernrekha-Mahanadi link.
Dependent Links (Series-II)- Himalayan links, such as (i) Gandak-Ganga, (ii) Ghaghra-Yamuna, (iii) Sarda-Yamuna, (iv) Yamuna-Rajasthan, (v) Rajasthan-Sabarmati, (vi) Chunar-Sone Barrage and (vii) Sone dam-STG links are inter-dependent.
Gandak-Ganga and Ghaghra-Yamuna links are supposed to take over the existing commands of Sarda Project and Sarda Sahayak Pariyojna and as a result, whatever savings will be there in Sarda water, the same will be taken forward to other links through Sarda-Yamuna link. Therefore, these seven links can be considered as another system. Further additional water made available in river Ganga through Gandak Ganga link and Ghaghra-Yamuna links will make Chunar(Ganga)- Sone Barrage and Sone dam-STG link feasible.
Dependent Links (Series-III)- Kosi-Ghaghra and Kosi-Mechi links are dependent on the same headworks, i.e., Kosi High dam in Nepal. So both these links are inter-dependent
Most of the Himalayan links are inter-dependent.

6. Alternative to MSTG
Out of 14 Himalayan links, Series-I, Series-II and Series-III consist of four, seven and two links respectively, thus making thirteen links under three categories. Remaining one Himalayan link is Jogighopa-Teesta-Farakka (JTF) link which was planned as an alternative to Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga (MSTG) link.
In fact MSTG link envisages construction of two dams, i.e., Manas and Sankosh dams in Bhutan territory. So it was thought that if these two dams in Bhutan do not come up for any reason, in that case, Brahmputra water will be brought through JTF link which lie in Indian Territory.
Now this project is considered as dropped for all practical purposes.

7. MSTG Link, Part of Series-I
MSTG link envisages diversion of 43 BCM surplus water from Manas and Sankosh rivers (Tributaries of Brahmaputra river) with supplementation from four intermediate major streams i.e. Aie, Raidak, Torsa and Jaldhaka.
As per PFR (1997), the link envisages construction of two dams on rivers Manas and Sankosh respectively inside Bhutan territory with a link canal for irrigation and diversion of substantial quantum of water to river Ganga upstream of Farakka barrage.
Out of these two dams, the DPR of Sankosh H.E. Project envisaging construction of Sankosh dam has already been prepared by CWC and its techno-economic appraisal in CWC/CEA is reported to have been completed.
On the other hand, the survey and investigation of Manas dam is yet to be taken up. Ministry of External Affairs has been pursuing Govt. of Bhutan to bring Manas H.E. project on their priority list. As such implementation of Manas dam is going to take considerable time.
In view of above constraint of Manas dam and Reserved forest areas falling in the alignment of this link, it was decided to take up this link in two phases.
Phase-I of this link will be implementation of Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga link only (without considering contribution of water from Manas dam for the time being) and avoiding the Reserve Forest area from the alignment to the maximum possible extent while Phase-II will involve addition of contribution of water of Manas dam and tributaries in between Manas and Sankosh dams to the Phase-I to make originally envisaged MSTG link.
Keeping above decision in view, NWDA has prepared draft Feasibility Report of MSTG link after carrying out the requisite surveys and investigation for three Scenarios.

9. MSTG Link, Part of Series-I(Contd.)
Scenario-1
Considering both Manas and Sankosh dams (Here contribution of both the rivers are proposed to be taken from proposed new barrages on both the rivers in Indian territory, when both Manas and Sankosh dams are in position) 
Scenario-2
Without Manas dam but with Sankosh dam ( Here contribution of both the rivers are proposed to be taken from proposed new barrages on both the rivers in Indian territory, when Manas dam will not be in position but Sankosh dam will be there) 
Scenario-3
With Sankosh dam only (Sankosh-Tista-Ganga link) (Here contribution of Sankosh river is proposed to be taken from proposed new barrage on Sankosh river in Indian territory, when Sankosh dam is in position). This alternative is practically proposed Phase-I of MSTG link)
Earlier link canal alignment having 66 km tunnel in Bhutan portion was studied by WAPCOS. However MEA was of the perception that Bhutan would not agree to the proposal of tunnel in their territory. As such Link alignment involving tunnel, suggested by WAPCOS, has been dropped. Here in this paper we are concerned with Alternative-I as this is the final scenario likely to emerge. So the same has been discussed as under:

10. National Water Development Agency10
National Water Development Agency 10

11. Comparative study of three alternatives
ITEMS
As per PFR
ALTERNATIVE-I
ALTERNATIVE-II
ALTERNATIVE-III
LENGTH (Km)
457
488
378
LIFT INVOLVED (m)
Gravity
82 m in 7 stages
72 m in 6 stages
FSL at Offtake point m
56.00 m
56.10m
FSL at outfall in Tista
114.0 m
114.0m
FSL at outfall in Ganga
29.89
30.86 m
CCA (Ha)
6,53,000
3,72,000 ha
1,78,606 ha
Annual Irrigation
Water Utilisation including Losses
5295mcm
4225 MCM
4249 MCM
2O27 MCM
Proposed Diversion
43208 mcm
36383 MCM
37242 MCM
19636 MCM
Total Cost (Rs in crore)
11670 (93-94 P.L)
( P.L)
B.C.RATIO
1.2
2.251
2.266
2.604
IRR
11.95%
28%
30%

12. Links under consideration
Farakka-Sunderbans link (H)
Ganga-Damodar-Subernrekha Link (H)
Subernrekha-Mahanadi Link (H)
Mahanadi-Godavari Link (P)
MSTG link is mother link for following four links :

13. Details of proposed transfer from various links based on PFR of MSTG
S.N.
Name of link
Proposed Transfer at Offtake Point
Total Enroute Utilisation including Transmission Losses
Proposed Transfer at Outfall Point
Remarks 1.
MSTG
43208
5295
37913
As per PFR 2. FS
9000
2000
7000
As per draft FR
(For Kolkata Port) 3.
GDS
28913
11013
17,900 4. SM
17900
7113
10.787 5.
MG (Manibhadra-
Dowlaiswaram)
12165
(with Godavari water)
5665
6500
As per FR

14. Details of proposed transfer from various links based on Draft FR of MSTG
S.N.
Name of link
Proposed Transfer at Offtake Point
Total Enroute Utilisation including Transmission Losses
Proposed Transfer at Outfall Point
Remarks 1.
MSTG
36383
4225
32158
As per FR 2. FS
4000
2000
Without disturbing irrigation requirement, water required for Kolkata port has been reduced. 3.
GDS
28158
11013
17145 4. SM
7113
10032
5(i).
MG (Manibhadra-
Dowlaiswaram)
12165
(with Mahanadi water)
5665
6500
5(ii)
MG (Baramul-
10032 (without contribution from Mahanadi)
4367
As per suggested distribution

15. Issues involved Bilateral agreement on Manas dam
Water availability of MSTG at Draft FR stage
Shifting of Offtake point of GDS link from Farakka barrage to 60 km upstream
Review of demand of Farakka- Sunderbans link
Inclusion of additional command, if any, on the request of West Bengal
Shifting of offtake point of MG link from Manibhadra to Baramul
Integration of six projects of Orissa into MG link

16. Conclusion Without dropping FS link Dropping FS link
If the original proposal of FS link envisaging diversion of 9000 MCM is retained, the quantum of water available for diversion in GDS link, SM link and MG link will be MCM, MCM and 5032 MCM respectively. This shows that water available for MG link is not even sufficient to meet the enroute demand of 5665 MCM of MG link, 
Dropping FS link
If the proposal of FS link is totally dropped, , the quantum of water available for diversion in GDS link, SM link and MG link will be MCM, MCM and MCM respectively. This shows that water available for MG link would be sufficient enough to meet the total demand of MCM of MG link,
Partly reducing requirement of FS link
If the proposal of FS link is retained with its partial requirement as shown in Table no. 2, the quantum of water available for diversion in GDS link, SM link and MG link will be MCM, MCM and MCM respectively. This shows that water available for MG link would be sufficient to meet the enroute demand of 5665 MCM of MG link and deliver 4367 MCM of water into Godavari against the earlier planned quantum of 6500 MCM

17. Thank you for your kind attention
Coming together is beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is success.

18. Backup Slides

19. Lifting Sl.No. RD in Km Height of lift (m) Location Stage-I 104.959 10
At nala (This wouldn’t be required in Alt.III)
Stage-II 12
At Chel river
Stage-III 22
At Duduya Nadi
Stage-IV 13
Plain area
Stage-V
At Neora river
Stage-VI 7
At Phuijhora river
Stage-VII 6
Left bank of Tista river to outfall into Tista barrage
Total 82

21. National Water Development Agency21
National Water Development Agency 21