Water Resources Ministry accords highest priority to Bihar: Uma

New Delhi: Reiterating that Union Water Resources ministry "accords highest priority" to the interests of the Bihar Government in issues relating to her ministry, Union Minister Uma Bharti has said there is "remarkable progress" in talks with Nepal over the construction of Saptakoshi High Dam.

An official statement here today quoting Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti said the Government of India has held fruitful talks with the Government of Nepal to find ways on reducing the severity of flood in Bihar to a major extent.

Accordingly, there has been remarkable progress in the construction of Saptakosi high dam, the statement.

"I am sure that once the construction is over, Bihar will get a reprieve from drought as well as the flurry of floods in future," the statement quoting the Minister said.

Talking to media persons here, the statement quoting the Minister said that still in some areas flood relief majors are urgently needed for the protection from flood.

For this all the proposals sent by Bihar Government under which nearly 7 lakh hectare area will be given protection benefiting nearly 132 lakh population of the State have been approved, it added.

Bharti said that her Ministry accords highest priority to the interest of Bihar Government and settles differences emerging during the inter-State meetings, the statement said adding that efforts are on for the supply of pure drinking water to Bihar from the Rihand dam.