Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) Project

25-12-2024

In December 2024, the ambitious Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) project has been initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by laying down the foundation stone for this transformative project.

During the event, a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between the Central Government, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

It is an inter-state river-linking initiative aimed at transferring surplus water from the Parbati, Newaj, and Kalisindh rivers to the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh.
The PKC project is a part of the National Perspective Plan (NPP, 1980) by the Central Water Commission and Ministry of Irrigation.
Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (PKC-ERCP) Link Project: It is an inter-state project that merges the PKC link with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).
The project aims to provide irrigation and drinking water to 21 districts in Rajasthan and 13 districts in the Chambal and Malwa regions of Madhya Pradesh, benefiting nearly 40 lakh people.
The initiative is expected to boost agriculture and foster development in religious and tourism sectors.
The project is expected to supply 3,000 million cubic meters (MCM) of water to Madhya Pradesh and 4,100 MCM to Rajasthan.
It will ensure optimal utilization of the Chambal Basin's water resources, benefiting industrial and agricultural sectors in both states.
The total estimated cost of the project is around ₹72,000 crore. The Central Government will bear the 90% cost of the project and State Governments’ Contribution will be of 10%.

Rivers Involved in the Project

The Chambal River originates from the Singar Chouri peak on the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains, near Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
The river enters Uttar Pradesh, traveling about 32 km before merging with the Yamuna River in Etawah District.

Basin and Drainage: Chambal is primarily rainfed and its basin is surrounded by the Vindhyan mountain ranges and the Aravallis. The river and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh.
Tributaries: Key tributaries include Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, and Parbati.
Dams and Power Projects: Major structures along the river are Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam, and Kota Barrage.
National Chambal Sanctuary: The sanctuary, located along the Chambal River at the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, is a critical habitat.

It shelters species like the critically endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.

The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) was introduced in the 2017-18 state budget to address drinking and irrigation water shortages in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan.
Districts covered include Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Dausa, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Dholpur.
Objectives: The project aims to harness surplus water from rivers in southern Rajasthan, such as the Chambal and its tributaries like Kunnu, Parvati, and Kali Sindh, during the rainy season.

This stored water will be used to meet the drinking and irrigation needs of the southeastern districts of the state facing acute water scarcity.

Long-Term Impact: ERCP is designed to provide water for drinking and industrial purposes to southern and southeastern Rajasthan, benefitting both humans and livestock until 2051.

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