The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `Link rivers to create 1.5 crore jobs'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 28, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Link rivers to create 1.5 crore jobs'

Special Correspondent

Five crore people will get drinking water, says expert

CHENNAI: By linking rivers in Tamil Nadu, it is possible to create jobs for 1.5 crore people and to produce 2000 MW of power, besides providing drinking water to five crore people, says A.C. Kamaraj, member of the expert committee on inter-linking of rivers

Talking to presspersons here on Wednesday, Mr. Kamaraj said major rivers such as the Palar, the Cauvery, the Vaigai and the Tamirabarani could be connected through a contour canal of 900-km length. If the canal's level was above the maximum flood level of the rivers, excess water over and above the flood level would be diverted to the contour canal. Through this, one could take floodwater from one river to another. The speciality of the Taminadu River Project was that like a power grid, water could be taken from any one place to any other. The canal could be used as navigation canal too. Tamilnadu, plagued by drought at frequent intervals, would get water for irrigation and drinking throughout the year. Besides, it would control flood and prevent floodwater from draining into the sea.

Mr.Kamaraj, who is also chairman of the National Waterways Development (NAWAD) Council, said the total cost of the project worked out to Rs. 36,000 crore. The council had already prepared a pre-feasibility report, which was approved by the State Government. He was awaiting orders for conducting a technical feasibility study, which would cost Rs 12.5 crore. It would take five years to complete the project, which would bring several hundred crores in revenue to the exchequer. Many private parties would be eager to be part of the project, which could be implemented under the build operate and transfer basis.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail