River linking has immense benefits, says Uma Bharti

Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti Tuesday said there will be immense benefits of inter-linking of rivers and the government will ensure that there is no impact on the environment in the projects.

Presided over a meeting of the special committee for inter-linking of rivers, she sought cooperation of states, said an official press statement.

Uma Bharti told the meeting that "benefits of this project will be immense."

Referring to the apprehensions expressed by some environmentalists, the minister said that the government will ensure that there is no loss to the environment in inter-linking of rivers.

The minister said she is taking keen interest in the issue and will meet chief ministers of states where inter-linking projects had been planned.

She said that inter-linking of rivers is being supervised by Supreme Court and "no one should doubt the integrity of centre on this issue".