This book deals with the politics of water resource development and management in India, with special reference to the Narmada river water dispute. It analyzes the politics of the inter-state river water dispute over Narmada in the context of Centre-State and inter-state relationships.

Looking at the constitutional and legal mechanisms for resolving disputes among riparian states, it extends discussion on the upstream-downstream politics implicit in the battle between downstream Gujarat and Rajasthan versus upstream Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; and the much-publicized struggle between the pro- versus anti-dam forces over the construction of the gigantic Sardar Sarovar dam.