Don't wait for consensus in linking rivers: TN

Water-deficit Tamil Nadu on Tuesday asked the Centre not to wait until it obtains concensus of non-consenting states in interlinking of rivers and urged the Union government to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Mahanadhi-Godavari-Krishna-Palar-Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar link.

Speaking at the meeting of the Special Committee for inter-linking of rivers, state Chief Minister O Panneerselvam pointed to the Supreme Court directive to work speedily on the interlinking of rivers and expressed the state’s opinion that the Centre should take up the project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) as in the case of the Ganga rejuvenation plan.

“Otherwise, the interlinking of Rivers project will be a non-starter,” the chief minister said. “In our view, waiting for developing a consensus with non-consenting states would only delay the project.”

He also reiterated Tamil Nadu’s firm opinion that the Centre must prepare the DPR for Mahanadhi-Godavari-Krishna-Palar-Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar link and should begin work on the project without delay, since the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) had prepared its feasibility report long back.

“Pending finalisation and execution of the entire component of this link, the Tamil Nadu government requests the Centre to extend financial assistance including cost for land acquisition as per the prevailing act for implementing Cauvery (Kattalai)-Vaigai-Gundar link”, he said.

“This will facilitate diversion of flood surpluses whenever they occur to benefit the deficit areas.”