Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project

• 13 May 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Maharashtra have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly implement the Tapti (Tapi) Basin Mega Recharge Project in MP, the world’s largest groundwater recharge scheme aimed at ensuring optimal utilization of river water resources for irrigation across both states. 

What is the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project? 

• About: It is a joint inter-state groundwater recharge initiative under which Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will jointly develop three Tapti River streams originating from Multai, MP. 
  • It is the third major inter-state river project involving MP, following the Ken-Betwa Link Project (MP & UP) and the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project (MP & Rajasthan). 
• Key Features: 
  • Water Allocation: The project plans to divert water from the Tapti River to northeastern Maharashtra for drinking water and to support irrigation in southern and southeastern Madhya Pradesh. 
    • Total usage is 31.13 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), with 11.76 TMC allocated to MP and 19.36 TMC for Maharashtra. 
    • The project includes construction of a diversion weir at the MP-Maharashtra border and development of right and left bank canals in both states.  
    • The project entails the use of 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh, with no displacement or rehabilitation needed. 
  • Beneficiary Districts: The project covers the Burhanpur and Khandwa districts of MP and Akola, Amravati, and Buldhana in MH, which have historically faced groundwater stress and erratic rainfall. 

Key Facts Related to Tapti River 

• Geography: The Tapti River, India's second-longest west-flowing river after the Narmada, flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.  
  • It is one of the 3 major rivers in India that flow westward, along with the Narmada and Mahi. 
  • It drains into the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat. 
• Basin Area & Terrain: The Tapi basin, bounded by the Satpura range (north), Mahadeo hills (east), Ajanta and Satmala hills (south), and the Arabian Sea (west). 
  • It flows between the Satpura Range and Mahadeo Hills, running parallel to the Narmada River to the north, separated by the main part of the Satpura Range. 
• Tributaries: The Tapti has 14 major tributaries: 4 right-bank (Vaki, Aner, Arunawati, Gomai) and 10 left-bank (Nesu, Amravati, Buray, Panjhara, Bori, Girna, Waghur, Purna, Mona, Sipna).  
  • Purna River is the main left-bank tributary, providing perennial flow. 
• Dams and Projects: Ukai Dam (Gujarat), Hathnur Dam (Maharashtra) 

 

What is the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Interlinking Rivers?  

Click Here to Read: National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Interlinking of Rivers 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims: 

Q. The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why? (2013)

1. It occupies a linear rift valley. 
2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras. 
3. The land slopes to the west from Central India. 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 and 3 
(c) 1 and 3 
(d) None 

Ans: (a) 

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Mains: 

Q. The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020)