Inter Basin Water Transfer Link Project of India

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Kalam wants more on river-linking
Srinjoy Chowdhury
in New Delhi

The Statesman
05.10.2004

Oct. 4. — In a significant move, the President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, has asked the Centre for details on the river-interlinking scheme.

Dr Kalam has always been an active supporter of the project, that could cost about Rs 500,000 crore over a decade. The previous NDA government had been a strong proponent of this scheme, and this government is examining the project with reports on the specific projects involving the peninsular rivers likely to be taken up first. It is mentioned in the UPA Common Minimum Programme.
Just when the Rashtrapati Bhavan presentation will be made is being worked out as there are “protocol issues involved,” one official said. A presentation can be arranged for the President, but there is a feeling it will be better if the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and other cabinet ministers are briefed first. It is possible that the water resources minister, Mr PR Das Munshi, will first call on the President for a discussion on the issues involved. Then, the presentation for the PM and other relevant cabinet ministers like environment and agriculture can be held. It was learnt that the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, was also invited for the briefing.

After that a full-scale briefing can be held for the President. Dr Kalam has always been interested in the river-linking project and even during his meetings with reporters during his recent trip to Tanzania and South Africa spoke about the project and expressed confidence that the government would go ahead with it. He had been asked whether the UPA government is as keen on the project as the NDA government, which had appointed Mr Suresh Prabhu, the interlinking czar, giving him cabinet minister status. The Supreme Court is currently looking at the feasibility reports regarding interlinking.

This ambitious project aims to link all the rivers in the country through 30 links. A number of issues have to be looked at, including hydrological issues, environmental impact and resettlement before the project is cleared. It is possible that the project can be done in phases and the water resources ministry is keen that the feasibility studies regarding the 14 links of the peninsular rivers are looked at first. As for the Himalayan rivers, other countries are also involved. If successful, river-interlinking could end floods and drought in India increasing agricultural production.

Source: The Statesman

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