New Delhi, Oct 29: Minister for Water Resources Arjun Charan Sethi today said that inter-linking of rivers was imperative as it would put the nation in a "win-win" situation by providing benefits like drinking water and irrigation facilities to regions facing acute water shortage. Addressing a conference, organised jointly by the Ministry of Water Resources and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he said in order to meet the future challenges it was essential to adopt a multi-pronged strategy which would include development of water resources with comprehensive and integrated approach and adoption of modern practices for management of the water resources system for best results.
He said to bridge the gap between the demand of about 1447 billion cubic metres of water and the potential utilisation with conventional development of 1122 billion cubic metres, the government has drawn up a national perspective plan to link up the rivers in the country.
Sethi said the fact that both President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been taking keen interest in the project shows the importance that the government attaches to it.
Bureau Report