Cooperation of states essential for river inter-linking: Govt
21 Nov 2015 4:12 AM IST
Holding that inter-linking of rivers (ILR) is “critical” for enhancing the country’s water and food security, the Centre on Thursday said it is committed to the execution of its programme through consensus and underscored that cooperation of states is essential to make it a success.
The government also invoked a February 27, 2012, verdict of the Supreme Court, which had held ILR programme to be in “national interest” and directed its “early implementation”.
In addition to ILR, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has taken up proposals of intra-state links in a “vigorous” manner, Water Resources Ministry said in a statement.
“The government has taken up ILR programme under the National Perspective Plan on a high priority. The ILR programme is critical for enhancing water and food security of country, especially in the water-short, drought-prone and rain-fed farming areas,” the ministry said. It added: “The government is committed to the implementation of the programme through consensus and cooperation of the state governments concerned. Cooperation of all states is essentially required for the success of ILR programme, which shall bring prosperity to the nation.”
On the status of its ILR initiatives, the government said detailed project reports (DPR) of Ken-Betwa Link Project (to benefit UP and MP), Damanganga-Pinjal and Par-Tapi-Narmada link project (both to take shape in Gujarat and Maharashtra) have been completed.
It said various clearances in respect of phase-I of Ken-Betwa project are in an advanced stage of processing.
The project has been recommended by Madhya Pradesh State Wild Life Board in its meeting held on September 9, this year for forwarding to National Board of Wild Life (NBWL) of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Ministry for according clearance.
“The phase-I will irrigate 6.35 lakh hectares of land and provide 49 MCM of drinking water supply at estimated cost of Rs 9393 crore to Bundelkhand region of MP and UP,” it said.
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