Common approach paper on inland water sought

Ashok B Sharma

New Delhi, Aug 28: THE ministry for water resources has proposed to the shipping ministry for preparation of a common approach paper for the Tenth Plan concerning surface water management and inland water transport sector.

The shipping ministry is planning to project an outlay of Rs 5,635 crore for the inland water transport sector in the Tenth Plan. The water resources ministry has stated that a common approach paper for the Tenth Plan will not only render a focussed plan of action, but also avoid duplication of schemes. The water resources ministry has already drawn up a national perspective plan envisaging inter-linking of various rivers in the country. These measures will not only solve the problems of recurring floods and droughts in many areas of the country, but would also facilitate development of inland waterways for transport of goods.

National Water Development Authority (NWDA) has been set up to carry out a field survey and prepare feasibility reports for linking various rivers. Already, NWDA has prepared feasibility reports for linking five rivers. Some of these rivers can be inter-linked without much difficulty as the concerned states are likely to arrive at a consensus on this issue. River basin organisations will be set up to sort out sharing of basin water.

Pre-feasibility reports for 30 identified links have also been prepared and final feasibility reports are being planned to be completed by 2004 for the peninsular component and by 2008 for the Himalayan component. The water resources ministry has also approached the ministry of external affairs for negotiating with Nepal, Bhutan and China on issues of harnessing those rivers which originate from these countries and flow into India, causing floods. These rivers can be harnessed by construction of dams, generating hydel power and creation of adequate inland waterways.

For the Ninth Plan, the ministry of surface transport demanded an outlay of Rs 2,155 crore for the inland water transport
sector.