First river inter-linking project in three years

The ambitious River Inter-Linking Project may soon become a reality with a link between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh ready for launch in the next three years.

After being caught in bureaucratic red tape and disputes between states for nearly 30 years, the ambitious River Inter-Linking Project may soon become a reality with a link between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh ready for launch in the next three years.

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In the next three years, the Ken-Betwa river link between the two states may become the first river inter-linking project of the country.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Ken-Betwa link has been received by the Centre. "Since it has been declared a national project, the Centre will fund 90 per cent of the cost," Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz said.

The minister said that in the three years, the Ken-Betwa link could become the first river inter-linking project to be commissioned in the country.

A tripartite MoU was signed between the Union Minister for Water Resources and Chief Ministers of UP and MP in 2005 for preparing DPR of Ken-Betwa link.

The completion of the DPR in a record two years time was a big achievement for scientists and engineers involved in the project.

Conceived in 1980, the river inter-linking project has been mired in bureaucratic red tape and disputes between states sharing river water.