The river-linking project could significantly impact water governance, interstate relations, and environmental sustainability. Fragmented data systems may lead to inefficiencies in flood management, irrigation planning, and reservoir operations. States may dispute water allocations due to unclear data provenance and assumptions. Additionally, environmental risks such as sedimentation, altered ecological flows, and downstream impacts need careful evaluation. Without a unified and auditable data system, the project risks exacerbating interstate tensions and mismanagement during hydrological events.