Declare inter-linking of rivers a national project: Karunanidhi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday reiterated that inter-linking of rivers in the country should be declared as a ‘national project’ and a time-bound action plan be implemented for the same.
Addressing the National Development Council meeting of Chief Ministers of various States, Mr. Karunanidhi said: “In the last NDC meeting, I had strongly advocated for inclusion and funding of interlinking of the peninsular rivers in the first instance during the 11th Plan itself.”
He added: “I am afraid that any further delay in the implementation of this project will be detrimental to the development of our nation. All of us are well aware of the strain in the inter-State relations due to inter-State river water disputes. If unresolved, such disputes may pose a threat to the very unity and integrity of this country.”
Mr. Karunanidhi said: “Our nation has an established constitutional and legal framework for resolution of such disputes. Hence, in the interest of harmony among the States, it is imperative that all such disputes are resolved under the existing laws of the land and all the States respect and abide by the decisions of the competent authorities.”
Linking of intra-State rivers would also require substantial funding, which a State government could not afford to bear on its own, he said, and urged that funding of projects for intra-State rivers as already resolved in the 53rd NDC meeting.