New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today that the government was exploring possibilities to create a "large fund" for projects related to inter-linking of rivers as they require massive investments.
The Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said his ministry will move a proposal in the Union Cabinet, comprising 285 irrigation projects planned to be taken up next year, to provide irrigation to 1.88 crore hectares of land.
Addressing the fifth India Water Week-2017 in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari said 30 projects related to inter-linking of rivers have been identified. They require huge investments, he said.
He said 27 irrigation projects will be completed by the end of this year.
He said the use of pipeline- instead of constructing canals by acquiring land- has saved nearly Rs 5,000 crore.
He said inter-linking of rivers was necessary to reduce the impact of floods and droughts, and added 30 river-linking projects have been approved, out of which work on three projects - Ken-Betwa, Par-Tapi Narmada and Daman Ganga Pinjal - will begin within three months.
Referring to the Pancheshwar Project- a bi-national hydropower project to be developed on Mahakali River bordering Nepal and India, Mr Gadkari said the secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources will soon visit Nepal to sort out issues. He hoped that the work on the project will start soon thereafter.
Ms Bharti, who is now the Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, said the projects related to Mr Gadkari's ministry were also linked to her ministry, like the inter-linking of rivers comprise a large component of drinking water.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Satyapal Singh were also present at the event.
The Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said his ministry will move a proposal in the Union Cabinet, comprising 285 irrigation projects planned to be taken up next year, to provide irrigation to 1.88 crore hectares of land.
Addressing the fifth India Water Week-2017 in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari said 30 projects related to inter-linking of rivers have been identified. They require huge investments, he said.
He said 27 irrigation projects will be completed by the end of this year.
Advertisement
He said the use of pipeline- instead of constructing canals by acquiring land- has saved nearly Rs 5,000 crore.
Advertisement
He said inter-linking of rivers was necessary to reduce the impact of floods and droughts, and added 30 river-linking projects have been approved, out of which work on three projects - Ken-Betwa, Par-Tapi Narmada and Daman Ganga Pinjal - will begin within three months.
Advertisement
Referring to the Pancheshwar Project- a bi-national hydropower project to be developed on Mahakali River bordering Nepal and India, Mr Gadkari said the secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources will soon visit Nepal to sort out issues. He hoped that the work on the project will start soon thereafter.
Advertisement
Ms Bharti, who is now the Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, said the projects related to Mr Gadkari's ministry were also linked to her ministry, like the inter-linking of rivers comprise a large component of drinking water.
Advertisement
President Ram Nath Kovind, Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Satyapal Singh were also present at the event.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Drought Has Affected One-Fourth Of Country, Says Government Interlinking Rivers Only Solution To Drought: Government Ashok Gehlot Accuses Vasundhara Raje Of Misleading People Of Rajasthan World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report "Re-Exam Only On Concrete Footing": Supreme Court On NEET-UG Row Nissan X-Trail Unveiled Ahead Of India Launch "Avoid Travel": India Issues Advisory For Nationals In Bangladesh Amid Unrest 'Dark Comets' May Pose Bigger Threat Than Previously Thought To Earth Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.