The biggest problem is of ecological nature as not much information is around that allows to exactly say how the diversion of rivers will have impacts on the environment. It is clear that it will as it will reduce the availability of water in the regions that reach less water... It also, of course, can have impacts on people. When water is diverted to urban areas then it might create deficits in rural areas from where the water is taken away. In India there have been discussions about river-linking since long. The publications below refer to India

The following literature is known to me, but I am certain that much more is available:

Anil Kumar Misra; Anju Saxena; Manish Yaduvanshi; Ajai Mishra; Yogendra Bhadauriya; Alok Thakur

Proposed river-linking project of India: a boon or bane to nature

Springer-Verlag

Environmental Geology

Year:2007

Month:02

Day:

Volume:51

Issue:8

First page:1361

Last page:1376

Ram Avtar; Chander Kumar Singh; Satayanarayan Shashtri; Saumitra Mukherjee

Identification of erosional and inundation hazard zones in Ken–Betwa river linking area, India, using remote sensing and GIS

Springer-Verlag

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Year:2011

Month:11

Day:

Volume:182

Issue:1-4

First page:341

Last page:360

W. S. Lakra; U. K. Sarkar; V. K. Dubey; R. Sani; A. Pandey

River inter linking in India: status, issues, prospects and implications on aquatic ecosystems and freshwater fish diversity

Springer-Verlag

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries

Year:2011

Month:09

Day:

Volume:21

Issue:3

First page:463

Last page:479

Shilp Verma; Doeke A. Kampman; Pieter van der Zaag; Arjen Y. Hoekstra

Going against the flow: A critical analysis of inter-state virtual water trade in the context of India’s National River Linking Program

Elsevier

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C

Year:2009

Month:

Day:

Volume:34

Issue:4-5

First page:0

Last page:269

Singh, Vijay P.

Interdisciplinary discussions of hydrology and river linking take place in India

American Geophysical Union

Eos Transactions American Geophysical Union

Year:2004

Month:

Day:

Volume:85

Issue:19

First page:187

Last page:

Alley, Kelly

The Making of a River Linking Plan in India: Suppressed Science and Spheres of Expert Debate

Informa UK (Taylor & Francis)

India Review

Year:2004

Month:07

Day:

Volume:3

Issue:3

First page:210

Last page:238

Roy, N.G.; Sinha, R.

Linking hydrology and sediment dynamics of large alluvial rivers to landscape diversity in the Ganga dispersal system, India

Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

Year:2016

Dinesh C. Sharma

Concern over India's Plans to Link Rivers

JSTOR

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Year:2003

This is a very interesting question. However environmentalists have string objection to such concept due to disturbance in hydrological settlements , aquatic life and unprecedented changes in  ecological balance...there could be many off course..Changing the course of river on ecosystem issues  needs thorough study...

River linking or inter basin transfer of water is discussed since long time in India. However there is great deal of opposition to this concept due to the anticipated environmental and ecological disturbances. Though many positive aspects mentioned in the question is possible, the negatives are weighed more for the implementation of the idea.

Other than scientific reasons, one of the main objection to the idea is that the "water " comes under the State subject and if the States within the river basins are united towards the concept, then only it is possible to transfer water or linking of rivers, but no State is ready for the same, as the subject of water is also used for political gains.  Hence, though the idea of sharing of water between water rich basins to water scarce basins is good; practical implementation is very difficult due to scientific, environmental, social & political reasons.

I am more interested in the pollution load concept that develops due interlinking of rivers. Interlinking of polluted rivers with the non-polluted ones will adversely impact the ecosystems of the latter and the people dependent on it.

This is more dangerous,Adil

Sir ,

I am deeply fascinated with the ever-growing complications, issues, and concerns associated with interlinking of rivers rather than the benefits especially in India where the pollution load is immense on our poor rivers and there is no backup plan to revive their self-purification capacity and overall health.

I would highly recommend all to go through this comprehensive and absorbing  piece of literature on this issue.

 Dear Adil ,

"Interlinking of polluted rivers with the non-polluted ones will adversely impact the ecosystems of the latter and the people dependent on it." -  

Yes, you have raised a very good point. It is one of the negative effects of  river linking.

Then - think more points.

Good wishes

Some three decades back, considering the excess availability of water based on the historical data, it was suggested to transfer water from one of the basins to another basin which was facing water scarcity. Somehow that proposal was not accepted for some unknown reasons. But now fortunately or unfortunately, the so called water rich river basin is facing water scarcity, due to various reasons including deforestation; urbanization, etc. I have tried to highlight this example just to suggest that one has to be very careful in classifying the water rich or/and water scarce river basins. Once the process of river linking is complete, it is impossible to revert.

Dr. N B Narasimha Prasad  -

" ..........one has to be very careful in classifying the water rich or/and water scarce river basins. Once the process of river linking is complete, it is impossible to revert."

This is very important statement.

I feel that this kind of project also requires big investment. So before implementation of river-linking project, all possible parameters are to be critically examined in the perspective of success of the project.

- Regards

Dr. Eberhard Weber,

You have provided references of good publications on the topic. Thanks

Adil, an excellent book , you have attachment . I think, everyone should read it ., so comprehensively discussed this issue of inter-linking of river basins. My compliments to Adil. 

Dear Adil,

You have provided a very good book on the topic. "Interlinking of Rivers in India: Issues and Concerns"

ResearchGate readers will be benefited.

Good wishes

Dr. Anoop Kumar Srivastava,

Please see a good image. The attached image  tells about the proposed river-linking projects in India.

The Ken-Betwa river link has been approved and the Government is now keen to approve the Daman Ganga-Pinjal Link (Gujarat and Maharashtra) and Par-Tapi-Narmada Link (Gujarat) whose detailed project reports (DPRs) are ready for consideration. (Ref. India water portal).

- Regards