By S. K. Gupta and R. D. Deshpande
Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009, India
Water resources of India are examined in the context of the growing population and the national ambition to become and be seen as a developed nation. The motivation was provided by the continuing debate on the proposed project for interlinking of rivers by National Water Development Agency.
The population of India is expected to stabilize around 1640 million by the year 2050. As a result, gross per capita water availability will decline from ~ 1820 m3/yr in 2001 to as low as ~ 1140 m3/yr in 2050. Total water requirement of the country for various activities around the year 2050 has been assessed to 1450 km3/yr. This is significantly more than the current estimate of utilizable water resource potential (1122 km3/yr) through conventional development strategies. Therefore, when compared with the availability of ~ 500 km3/yr at present, the water availability around 2050 needs to be almost trebled. Various options have been considered in quantitative terms, as possible sources to augment the anticipated deficit.
It is argued that due to considerations of gestation period and capital requirements, rainwater harvesting and water-conservation measures must receive the highest priority followed by renovation and recycling to be followed by intra- and then inter-basin transfers in the last phase. But, investigations and planning processes for all options must begin immediately.
