What is Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project? : Cost, Benefits, Difficulties & More

Eastern Rajasthan canal project ERCP

 

What Is Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project ( ERCP )?:

The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is a multi-purpose project that aims to provide drinking water and irrigation water to 13 districts of southeastern Rajasthan, India. The project was first conceived in the 1970s, but it was not until 2003 that the Rajasthan government approved it. The project is still under construction, and continuously this project is facing difficulties.

 

The ERCP is a complex project that involves the construction of a large canal system, a number of dams, and a hydroelectric power plant. The canal system will be 1,300 kilometers long and will carry water from the Chambal River to the south-eastern districts of Rajasthan. The dams will be used to store water and to generate hydroelectric power.


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ERCP Will Provide Water To These 13 District Of Rajasthan: 

The main objective of this scheme is to complete the water supply in these 13 districts facing water problem in Rajasthan. The ERCP project will provide drinking water and water for irrigation to these 13 districts. Due to which farmers in these districts will get help in agriculture work and economic development will also increase in this area.

Districts covered under ERCAP project:

  • Jhalawar 
  • Baran 
  • Kota 
  • Bundi 
  • Sawai Madhopur 
  • Ajmer 
  • Tonk 
  • Jaipur 
  • Karauli 
  • Alwar
  • Bharatpur 
  • Dausa 
  • Dholpur 

 

E.R.C.P Is A National Project Now:

Earlier this project did not get the status of national project but now ERCAP has been given the status of national project by Ashok Gehlot. Ashok Gehlot government's proposal to declare ERCP as a national project was passed in the seventh meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, which was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi.

 

7th meeting of Governing Council Of Niti Aayog:

jaipur, 7 August. Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot demanded that the Central Government declare Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as a national project along with hiking financial assistance of the Centre in various centrally sponsored schemes in the seventh meeting of the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog organised at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.


In the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Gehlot strongly presented the issues related to Rajasthan. He said that ERCP is an ambitious project of Rs
37,000 crore which will help augment irrigation facilities in an area of around 2 lakh hectares in 13 districts of Rajasthan. He said that eastern Rajasthan is a leading area in the production of oilseeds. Besides this, by declaring it a national project, the problem of drinking water in these districts will also be resolved. The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister had earlier promised to adopt a positive stance with regard to this project. He said that this project will also help in successful implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission.

Source: Govt Of Rajasthan 


 

Cost Of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project ( ERCP ):

As per the official press release page by the Press Information Bureau ( PIB ),

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) with an estimated cost of Rs. 37,247.12 crore (at 2014 price level) was submitted by the Government of Rajasthan in November, 2017 for techno-economic appraisal.


 

Official Press Release Page:

Ercp press release page
Source: Press Information Bureau


 

Benefits Of E.R.C.P:

The first benefit of this project will be to the farmers who are facing water problem in these 13 districts of Rajasthan. Due to which they will get water for drinking and irrigation. And this project is also likely to bring economic development in these districts. And according to the reports, this scheme will also create many job opportunities in these areas. The project is expected to benefit about 2.6 million farmers in Rajasthan and an additional 2.4 million in Madhya Pradesh.


 

The ERCP is expected to have a number of benefits, including:

Increased agricultural productivity: The project will provide water for irrigation to about 3.4 million hectares of agricultural land in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This is expected to lead to an increase in agricultural productivity and production.

Improved drinking water supply: The project will provide drinking water to about 13 districts of Rajasthan. This is expected to improve the quality of life and health of the people in these districts.

Reduced water scarcity: The project will help to reduce water scarcity in the drought-prone areas of Rajasthan. This is expected to improve the environment and ecology of these areas.

Increased economic activity: The project is expected to lead to increased economic activity in the region. This is due to the increased agricultural production, improved drinking water supply, and reduced water scarcity.



Some additional benefits of ERCP:

  • There is a possibility of many benefits in these districts through ERCP. Here are some of those additional benefits.
  • It will help to improve the groundwater table in the region.
  • It will create jobs during construction and operation of the project.
  • It will boost the local economy by providing a market for goods and services needed for construction and operation of the project.
  • It will improve the quality of life for people in the region by providing access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities.
  • It will help to reduce poverty and malnutrition in the region.
  • Due to the long run of this scheme, the ERCAP scheme will become a main source for the financially weak people to run their livelihood.

 
ERCP in Madhyapradesh:
However, there is a proposal to merge the ERCP with the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal River Link Project, which would involve diverting water from the Parbati and Kalisindh rivers in Madhya Pradesh. This project is still in the planning stages, and it is not clear if or when it will be approved.


Importance Of Chambal River In ERCP: 
The Chambal River flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The river enters Rajasthan from Madhya Pradesh near Kota and flows for about 226 kilometers within Rajasthan in a north-easterly direction. The river then forms the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for about 252 kilometers. The total length of the Chambal River is 960 kilometers.

Under the ERCAP project, the water of Chambal river and its tributaries will be diverted to these districts.


 

Difficulties In Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project:
ERCP scheme will solve the water problem in these districts of Rajasthan. But the Rajasthan government is facing some difficulties in completing this scheme.

Here are some of difficulties: 
Financial constraints: The project is estimated to cost ₹37,200 crore (US$490 million). The Rajasthan government has been unable to raise the required funds, and the central government has not been willing to provide full financial support.
Environmental concerns: The project will require the construction of a number of dams and canals, which will have a significant impact on the environment. There have been concerns about the impact of the project on wildlife, water quality, and the climate.
Inter-state disputes: The ERCP will involve the transfer of water from the Chambal River, which is shared by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. There have been disputes between the two states over the amount of water that should be transferred.

Despite these difficulties, the Rajasthan government is committed to completing the ERCP. The project is expected to provide much-needed water to the people of eastern Rajasthan, and it is seen as a major development project for the state.


 
Dispute Of Madhya Pradesh And Rajasthan: 
The dispute between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is a long-standing one. The two states have been unable to agree on the amount of water that should be transferred from the Chambal River to Rajasthan.

Madhya Pradesh is concerned that the ERCP will deprive it of water that it needs for its own irrigation and drinking water needs. Rajasthan, on the other hand, argues that it is entitled to the water under the Indus Water Treaty.

The dispute has been going on for decades, and it has not been resolved. In 2017, the Supreme Court of India directed the two states to reach an agreement within six months. However, the two states have been unable to reach an agreement.

The dispute is also a major political issue. The Rajasthan government has accused the Madhya Pradesh government of blocking the project for political reasons. The Madhya Pradesh government has denied the allegations.