Govt says Inter Linking of Rivers can provide additional benefits of 35 million hectares of irrigation & 34 thousand MW of hydro-power generation

The government today said that the Inter Linking of Rivers in the country can provide additional benefits of 35 million hectares of irrigation and 34 thousand MW of hydro-power generation.

This can happen if the party States arrive at a consensus for the implementation of 30 river-linking projects identified in the country. At present the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is the first and the only such project, which is under implementation in the country.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of Jal Shakti, C R Patil informed the house that at present the focus in the project is on accomplishing all preparatory activities including land acquisition and obtaining statutory clearances.

The project is scheduled to be completed by March, 2030. He said that for inter-basin water transfer, the National Water Development Agency has identified 30 links for preparation of Feasibility Reports. Out of 30 identified link projects, Pre -Pre-Feasibility Reports of all the 30 links have been completed.