Re-Evaluating Multi-Purpose River Valley Projects: A Case Study of Hirakud, Ukai and IGNP

Abstract

The absence of post-construction reviews severely hamper assessmnents of multi-purpose river valley projects' (MRVPs) actual perfornmance vis-a-vis its claims. Long-term effects like ecological disequilibriums remain unaccounted for due to an absence of comprehensive pre-project environmenttal impact assessment. This article, studying three projects, namely, Hirakud, Ukai and Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), clearly demonstrates the glariing and complete dichotomy between pre-construction projections and post-construction realities. Waterlogging, salinity, sedimentation and health hazards have a high possibility of occurrence. Even flood control, irrigation and power generation are not effective as envisaged. These experiences, the article argues, need to be studied in-depth and made to constitute an important part of future planning for MRVPs.