Maharashtra gives nod to river linking plans after three years

The state cabinet on Tuesday has decided to complete the Nar-Par-Tapi and Damanganga-Pinjal river linking projects, which were stuck for around three years due to political opposition and lack of interest shown by Gujarat. The projects will cost Rs. 10,800 crore and are expected to be completed in the next five years.
The Nar-Par-Tapi river linking project— a combination of lift irrigation scheme, tunnels and canals — will ensure around 52 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) for Marathwada. “Making available 52 TMC of water for Marathwada is like creating another Jayakwadi dam [biggest dam in Marathwada] in the region. It will help us in solving the water availability issue of the region. The project is expected to get completed in the next five years,” said IS Chahal, principal secretary, state water resources department.
The Damanganga-Pinjal river linking project will provide 21 TMC water to Mumbai that will fulfil the city’s water need till 2060
“Our detailed project report is ready and we have also got the cabinet’s approval today. We will now seek environmental clearance following which tendering process will be started by this year-end,” he added. The state had also recently decided to complete the water grid project in Marathwada that aims to provide a permanent solution to the drinking water problem through tapped water supply.
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Karnataka govt planning construction of dams on Mahadayi river: Goa Congress
The Congress on Tuesday met Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai seeking his intervention in what it claimed were the plans of neighbouring Karnataka to construct dams on the Mahadayi river in violation of a Supreme Court order. The two states are locked in a dispute over sharing of the river's water, considered the lifeline of Goa. Goa has accused Karnataka of carrying out construction to divert the river water without authorisation.
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We must not let our differences weaken nation: Yogi
Lucknow: Paying rich tributes to the heroes of the Kakori train action on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that India attained independence in 1947 after years of struggle and innumerable sacrifices. “Today, as we celebrate 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', we must not let our differences divide us and weaken the country, rather we should collectively contribute towards a prosperous India,” he said.
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Brick kiln owners seek roll back of GST, coal price hike; threaten to close units
MEERUT About 1.5 lakh brick manufacturers from all over the country, including 21,000 from Uttar Pradesh, have threatened to close their kilns from the coming season if enhanced GST and hike in coal prices are not withdrawn. General secretary, Shamli Brick Nirman Samiti, Sunil Goel said that the GST on bricks had been increased to 18 per cent from 5 per cent and the coal earlier purchased at Rs 6,000 to 7,000 per tonne now cost Rs 25,000 per tonne.
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Nitish Kumar's new ally Tejashwi Yadav fires salvo: ‘Across Hindi heartland…’
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said, with the split of the NDA in Bihar, the BJP does not have any alliance partner across the Hindi heartland. Yadav added, “Nobody can take the legacy of our ancestors...We thank Nitish Kumar as well as Laluji...All of us wanted BJP's agenda shouldn't be implemented in Bihar, we all know Laluji stopped 'Rath' of Advaniji, we won't relent at any cost."
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Tyagi used car sticker from ‘old colleague’ Swami Prasad Maurya, probe on: Cops
Absconding politician Shrikant Tyagi, on the run for four days, was brought to the Noida Police Commissionerate on Tuesday hours after Tyagi was arrested from Meerut. Noida police commissioner Alok Singh said Tyagi has an 'MLA' sticker on one of his vehicles he said was given to him by his “old political colleague” Swami Prasad Maurya. Singh said a total of 12 teams were constituted to nab the accused.