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Linking rivers by 2016: Centre tells SC

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI DEC. 17. The Centre has submitted an action plan in the Supreme Court stating that it would be possible to complete the proposed inter-linking of major rivers by the end of 2016.

The plan was placed on Monday before a three-Judge Bench, headed by the Chief Justice, G.B. Pattanaik, by the Attorney-General, Soli Sorabjee, who also informed the Bench of the constitution of a task force for the purpose. Recording this, the Bench adjourned the proceedings.

Passing interim orders on a public interest litigation petition, the court had on October 31 asked the Centre to set up a high-level task force to work out the modalities for inter-linking rivers within 10 years and to bring a consensus among the States on the project estimated to cost Rs. 5,60,000 crores. The court had noted that the project when completed would not only give relief to the drought-prone areas but also be an effective flood control measure.

In its response, the Centre submitted that the National Water Development Agency had, after carrying out detailed studies, identified 30 links for the preparation of feasibility reports and had prepared reports for six such links. The basin States had expressed divergent views and hence to bring about a consensus and providing guidance on norms of appraisal of individual projects, a task force had been set up.

The task force will prepare Action Plan-I giving an outline of the time schedules for the completion of feasibility studies, detailed project reports, estimated cost, implementation schedule, concrete benefits and advantages of the projects by April 30, 2003.

Prepare Action Plan-II giving options for funding and execution of the project as also the suggested methods for cost recovery by July 31, 2003. Meeting with the Chief Ministers of various States and Union Territories to deliberate over the project and to elicit their cooperation during May/June 2003.

Completion of the feasibility studies (already in progress) by December 31, 2005; completion of detailed project reports by December 31, 2006 and implementation of the project in 10 years, viz. by December 31, 2016.

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