Rajya Sabha
The Interlinking of rivers (ILR) programme has been duly included in the National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government which envisages that the Government will make a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of linking the rivers of the country starting with the southern rivers in a fully consultative manner. A power point presentation was made by M/o Water Resources before the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 11th October, 2004 in which the Union Ministry of Finance, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Member, Planning Commission and Principal Secretary to PM were present among others. After above presentation and comprehensive assessment of feasibility of interlinking of rivers in the country, it was decided to continue programme of ILR with focus on Peninsular Component. Five peninsular links have been identified as priority links for consensus building between the concerned States for the preparation Detailed Project Report. Preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for one priority link viz, Ken-Betwa under Peninsular Component has been taken up by NWDA after signing of a tripartite agreement between the Government of India and concerned States of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on 25th August 2005. The States of MP and Rajasthan have also agreed in principle for the preparation of DPR of Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link.
The implementation of inter basin water transfer proposals depends on the consensus and cooperation of the concerned States.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav in response to a question by Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal in the Rajya Sabha today.
SK/BS –WR-3
(Release ID :22797)