Water diversion to thermal power plants to reduce irrigation potential in Vidarbha
Over 55,000 MW of coal-based power plants are proposed in Vidarbha and they would require 2,050 million cubic metre
Amid the ongoing controversy over multi-crore irrigation scam, a study conducted by Greenpeace reveals that the diversion of water of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers for the upcoming thermal power plants in the under-developed Vidarbha region would reduce irrigation potential and worsen agrarian crisis. As of 2010, more than 55,000 MW of coal-based power plants are proposed in Vidarbha and they would require 2,050 million cubic metre (MCM) or 72 TMC ft water.
Greenpeace in its study says almost 1,700 MCM water is being proposed to be taken from the Wardha and Wainganga river basins that would otherwise have irrigated about 3,40,000 hectares of farmland.
Greenpeace report comes at a time when the Maharashtra government has released a white paper which clarifies that there has been 28% and not mere 0.1% rise in irrigation potential during 2001 and 2010 in the state. However, Greenpeace observed that if all power plants of 55,000 MW are commissioned the water availability for irrigation would be reduced in Vidarbha region and it may in turn increase the irrigation backlog.
Jai Krishna, campaigner, Greenpeace told reporters that analysis of a 24-year period from 1981 till 2004 shows there has been variation in rainfall in these two river basins. The water availability for the Wardha and Wainganga basins mostly depends on the months of monsoon which ranges from July and Ocotber.
"The water availability in the Wardha and Wainganga sub-basin shows a definite reduction upon the completion of all reservoirs for any other purposes like irrigation or urban uses. The various thermal power plants proposed in the region further reduce it by 1,706 MCM. Since water use of thermal power plant is consumptive- all the 1,706 MCM of water required would be available for any other purposes. This in terms of water available for future uses translates to reduction of about 40% of the water available in the Wardha basin and 16% for the Wainganga basin," Jai Krishna informed.
According to Greenpeace, the impact of increase of coal based power plants in the Vidarbha region from 4,500 MW to 55,000 MW has raised many concerns about issues related to higher levels of pollution, environment damage and loss of farmland for the plant as well as the transmission lines.