Task force to review 30 interlinking river projects

The newly constituted task force on interlinking rivers of the water resources ministry would "review" 30 interlinking river projects in the country and suggest alternatives if some existing links are "unviable".
Briefing reporters, Sriram Vedire, an expert member in the task force, today said, it (task force) would look into various aspects including water pattern as several years have passed since the interlinking projects were proposed.
"All those 30 interlink projects were viable in 2002-2004 time frame. They might also be viable now. But we are going to look at, if at all, anything would have become infeasible based on the last 12 years of developments.

"In the last 12 years if any state has come up with any project, if the water was used excessively or water pattern has changed. Then going with the old link does not make sense. We will accordingly find an alternative, in case, if the existing link has become unviable," he said.
National Water Development Agency (NWDA), functioning under the Ministry of Water Resources, identified 30 inter state rivers links.
Of these, feasibility report for 16 links were completed, while four other projects are in the pipeline for execution.

Asked about the opposition for interlinking of rivers by a couple of states, he said, some states have raised concern over non-availability of surplus water in their state.

"We will address their concern by proving that there is surplus water. Only if surplus water is there, then we will take this programme forward... Now, we will talk to each state about each link and move forward by addressing their concerns appropriately," he said.
Vedire further said that the intention of the interlinking of rivers is resolve the problem of floods and drought.
On issues relating to river basins with the neighbouring nations, Vedire, who also is an adviser to the ministry of water resources said, the issues would be taken up very "judiciously and meticulously" with the other side.

"Wherever there is any issue especially with neighbouring countries, it has to traded very carefully and Government of India will use all its diplomatic efforts to resolve those issues," he said.