The Hindu : Inter-linking rivers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Inter-linking rivers

Sir, — This has reference to the article `Inter-linking of rivers' by A. Vaidyanathan ( March 26 , March 27 ): First it was inter-linking all major Indian cities by road and now the water wealth is being interlinked. It was the Cauvery and Yamuna dispute that gave birth to this project. India's natural resource belongs to the entire country. No State has the right to say the natural resource is its own and that it will not share it with anybody. Like in the Cauvery, Yamuna, Krishna and Mullaiperiyar disputes, politicians may oppose inter-linking of rivers. If we can share Indus water with Pakistan and the Brahmaputra with Bangladesh, then why are we hesitating to share rivers with our own people?

Prithvi Pal Singh Bisht,
Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal

Sir, — Inter-linking of rivers must be considered from all aspects because it may not be possible to undo what is undertaken, and therefore the utmost care is needed. The preliminary internal survey work to be done is commensurate with the complexities of the project itself, affecting not only the various State Governments, but also neighbouring countries.

Several hundreds of kilometres lie between the rivers and linking them will destroy their gene pool. Not only scientists, but also environmentalists should be jointly involved and after discussions a report drawn up and circulated to all States, for their observations.

E.J. Vessaoker,
Mumbai

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