Chennai, May 30: Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran has reiterated the urgent need to expedite river linking projects across the country to address the growing water crisis and ensure balanced distribution of water resources among states.
In a statement released on Saturday, Nagendran highlighted the Ken-Betwa river linking project as a significant example of cooperation between states. This project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the drought-affected Betwa basin in Uttar Pradesh.
He emphasized that linking rivers is no longer an option but a necessity for the country’s future. According to him, all states, including Tamil Nadu, should fully support such projects in the broader national interest.
Nagendran noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently advocated for the balanced and effective use of water resources across the country. He stated that the Prime Minister believes it is essential to deliver water to areas facing shortages for agricultural production, industrial development, and drinking water security.
The BJP leader referenced Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, where the expansion of the Narmada river water distribution network demonstrated that large-scale water management plans can transform drought-affected regions and improve people’s living standards.
He mentioned that the concept of a national river linking plan was envisioned during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This ambitious plan proposed linking major rivers such as the Mahanadi, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery, Vaigai, and Tamirabarani, as well as connecting the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins, to achieve a more balanced distribution of water nationwide.
Nagendran pointed out that legal and administrative hurdles have caused significant delays in these projects, but after years of judicial processes and policy discussions, a favorable environment has emerged to move them forward. He noted that the central government has taken several steps to enhance water availability for agriculture, industry, and domestic use.
Discussing Tamil Nadu’s water crisis challenges, he stated that the state heavily relies on rivers originating in other states. Therefore, investment in water-sharing infrastructure and better cooperation between states is essential to ensure long-term water security.
He concluded, “River linking projects should be viewed as a national priority. They are key to addressing recurring droughts, strengthening the agricultural sector, and ensuring the security of water resources for future generations.”