TASK FORCE FOR TALKS WITH CONCERNED
STATES
The Task Force for Interlinking
Major Rivers of India (TF -ILR) decided to open a dialogue with
concerned States for the links after receipt of confirmation from
them. The selected links could be taken up for preparation of
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). The Task Force on Interlinking
of Rivers, met under the Chairmanship of Shri Suresh Prabhu, here
today, decided this.
The Task Force also took
note of the massive work done by NWDA during the last 21 years
since 1982, in identifying feasible links round the country under
two components, namely (i) Himalayan Component (14 links) and
(ii) Peninsular Component (16 links) to meet the desired objectives.
This work was accomplished after conducting hydrologic assessments
of all the basins and sub-basins of India followed by pre-feasibility
studies. The NWDA thereafter undertook preparation of feasibility
reports. So far, it has completed feasibility studies for 8 links
out of which 7 are in Peninsular Component and 1 in Himalayan
Component.
The Task Force also approved
the NWDA proposal to complete the remaining feasibility studies
by the end of December 2005 so as to arrive at a further course
of action. It was noted that a detailed review was in progress
for all the links. The Task Force decided to meanwhile formulate
procedures for DPR preparation in consultation with the National
Agencies and Institutions. Inter-alia, it was decided to give
a detailed look to the techno-economic, environmental, social,
administrative, managerial and financial issues involved to arrive
at a realistic benefit cost analysis. It was acknowledged that
the DPR preparation was a complex process and it will have to
be done very thoroughly and carefully. The size, scope and cost
of each scheme will be available only at the end of DPR preparation.
The exercise to determine
the ultimate viability and the desirability of undertaking any
links of the proposed national programme depends upon: Ecological
viability; Social desirability; Financial viability; Quantum of
finances required; Comprehensive cost-benefit analysis (including
demand management); International dimension, where relevant; Federal
implementation of Political consensus; Technological options and
Stakeholder benefits.
The Task Force would be
able to arrive at a final decision about the possibility of undertaking
any of the links and deciding about its prioritization as it is
mandated by the Terms of Reference (TOR) only when such a detailed
exercise is carried out by experts and institutions of national
stature who would be able to carry out such a job and prepare
a DPR on that basis.
A programme of this dimension
has not been undertaken by India and hence the TOR must be prepared
in a most scientific manner by involving experts and technologies
in all relevant fields.
The Task Force is taking
every possible step to ensure that there is a consensus amongst
the States so as to enable the early commencement of some of the
independent links for which feasibility have been established.
It was felt that links
whose DPRs are approved can be undertaken with country’s own financial
resources.
