Strategic Analysis on the Potential of Coastal Reservoirs in Reshaping Indian Coastal Economic Corridor

Abstract

In general, people like to live near the coast because of a better aesthetical pleasing living environment, access to a variety of recreational activities and more job opportunities. Consequently, more than 50% of the world’s population live within 200[Formula: see text]km of the coast, and ¾ of the world’s megacities are situated by the shore. Significant pressure on land, water supply, waste management and other infrastructures appear in these coastal cities. India, which hosts one-sixth of the world’s population is looking for strategies to manage India’s coastal cities, water, land and human resources. This paper reviews China’s experience in water resources development for coastal cities. China’s coastal economic corridor (CEC) contributes 60% of the national GDP, which needs plentiful water supply to sustain its coastal cities. The present investigation shows that India has better natural conditions to develop its CEC. Among the coastal infrastructures, coastal reservoirs (i.e., CRs) should be the priority, which nourishes the coastal prosperity. This paper also discusses the feasibility of water–oil exchange project between India and Persian Gulf countries.