What is Eastern River Canal Project?

About East Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP):

• It is an ambitious project of Rajasthan State to harvest the excess water present in the rivers, especially in southern Rajasthan, and use that water for drinking and irrigation purposes in south-eastern Rajasthan, where there is scarcity.
• It envisages intra-basin transfer of water within the Chambal Basin by utilising surplus monsoon water available in Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej, and Chakan sub-basins and diverting it into water deficit sub-basins of Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga, and Parbati to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan. 
• The project also envisages irrigation in about 2.82 lakh hectare area.
• The project will also supply water to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and take care of the flood and drought situation in the area.

Key Facts about Chambal River:

• It is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India and thus forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system.
• Course:
  • Origin: It originates at the Singar Chouri peak on the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains.
  • The river flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forms the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh.
• On its south, east, and west, the basin is bounded by the Vindhyan mountain rangesand on the northwest by the Aravallis.
• The Hadauti plateauin Rajasthan occurs in the upper catchment of the Chambal River to the southeast of the Mewar Plains.
• It is one of the most pollution-free rivers in India.
• Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, Parbati, etc.
• Major Dams on the River: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam.
• The National Chambal Sanctuary is situated along the river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Q1: Which are the main tributaries of the Yamuna River?

It has four main tributaries in the Himalayan region: Rishi Ganga, Hanuman Ganga, Tons and Giri. In the plains, the main tributaries are Hindon, Chambal, Sind, Betwa and Ken. Tons, being the major tributary, contributes to about 60 percent flow of the Yamuna.

Source: Rajasthan CM discusses Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project with Union Minister CR Paatil