Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ON THE PLANNING OF NATIONAL WATER GRID PROJECT : SCOPE OF MATHEMATICAL MODELING AND HIGH END COMPUTING

S.K. Das and J. Khuntia

Abstract

Inter-basin Water Transfer Plan of India, also frequently referred as Inter-linking of Rivers (lLR) or National Water Grid Plan has gained momentum very recently due to various disputes and unsolved problems related to water resources, prevailing over the decades. This paper deals with the genesis of the mega plan, its multi-dimensional issues involved and the need for proper planning in the realm of present socio-economic scenario. It also reviews the modalities of various assumptions involved, which forms the basis for the mega plan and discusses various claims and counterclaims with sole aim to integrate the planning of any water resource project. The objective of this paper is also to focus important issues and challenges involved in scientific, environmental and economic domains to make National Water Grid project successful. In the event of detail requirement of scientific and technical investigations, the scope for mathematical modeling and high-performance computing is also emphasized. The basic methodology, which has been put forward in the paper, can help to plan and review any large water resource project.