Water harvesting campaigner Rajendra Singh has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the Mahadayi-Kalasa Banduri issue, saying it was a mater of national interest.
“Linking the river with the two streams will serve thousands of families and farmers all along the three waterbodies. They have been suffering from water scarcity for decades now. Drinking water and irrigation facilities will help them greatly,” he said. “This is a work of national importance and the Union government should take the initiative in this. I feel Mr. Modi should speak to the chief ministers of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, and convince them to go ahead with this project,” the Magasaysay award winning activist said on Monday.
“When I was touring the watershed areas of the Mahadayi, I met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He promised me that he was in favour of the project,” Mr. Singh said.
“Across the country, I am regarded as a fierce opponent of the grand project to link rivers. However, I am in favour of the Kalasa-Bandori nala project as it is a simple project that can be implemented without environment damage. There is little chance of pollution or corruption in the project as I see it. All the three riparian States should support it in public interest,” he said.
Farmers in Karnataka who live along the river bed have been agitating seeking linking of the river with the two streams so that the water can be used for drinking and for irrigation.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister is in favour of the project, says Rajendra Singh
