---
title: "National River Linking Project: India's NRLP"
description: "The National River Linking Project aims to transfer water between India's surplus and deficit rivers, impacting agriculture and water management nationwide."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/national-river-linking-project"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The National River Linking Project is India's planned inter-basin water transfer scheme to connect surplus and deficit rivers through canals, dams, and reservoirs.
- What are the two main components of the National River Linking Project?
- Which link is being implemented first and why?
- Why is inter-state consent a major obstacle to the NRLP?
- What environmental objections has the project faced?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In March 2021 the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh signed the Ken-Betwa Link tripartite memorandum, making it the first National River Linking Project link to move toward construction.

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