New Delhi, May 04: Noting that increasing population and accelerated industrialisation has resulted in manifold increase in the demand for water, the PM stressed on the need to develop the water resources in an integrated manner and adopting short and long term measures.
He was addressing the gathering in the National Capital on Monday evening on the occasion of a function where a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat Ashok Chavan and Narendra Modi respectively, and Water Resources Minister P K Bansal for preparation of detailed project reports for two river linking projects with Gujarat and Maharashtra.
“Water resources projects including inter-basin transfer play an important role in mitigating imbalances of water availability and the likely adverse impacts of climate change,” he said.
Dr Singh said the project of inter-linking of rivers will bring immense benefits to the entire nation in terms of increased irrigation and consequent increase in the production of food and commercial crops.
According to the pact, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of DamangangaPinjal Link Project and ParTapiNarmada Link Project will be prepared soon.
“The signing of this MoU is also a shining example of cooperation and mutual understanding between the riparian states in addressing water requirements,” Dr Singh said on the occasion.
The DamangangaPinjal link is expected to augment water supply to the Greater Mumbai region by transfer of surplus water of Damanganga basin at the proposed Bhugad and Khargihill dam sites to Pinjal reservoir, officials said.
—Agencies