Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project
- Recently the demand for the recognition of “National Project” status to “Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project” is being sought.
- It is to be known that the estimated cost of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project is around 40,000 90% of the amount will be provided by the Central Government for the completion of the project if it gets the status of National Project.
- Because of the huge cost of this project, Chief Minister of Rajasthan has been cited for declaration of ‘Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project’ as national project.
‘Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project’ (ERCP):
- The aim of ERCP is to use the surplus water available during the rainy season in the Chambal river and its tributaries (Kunnu, Parvati, Kalisindh) flowing in southern Rajasthan in the southeastern districts of the state where drinking water and water for irrigation Lacks.
- ERCP is planned to be completed by the year It is proposed to provide drinking water in 13 districts of Rajasthan and water for irrigation of 2.8 lakh hectares through 26 different large and medium projects.
- Under this, water will also be supplied in Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and flood and drought conditions will also be resolved in this area.
Necessity:
- According to the State Water Resources Department of Rajasthan, Rajasthan is the largest state of India in terms of area, and its geographical area is 52 lakh hectares, which is 10.4 percent of the total area of the country, but only1.16 percent the surface water of India in this region and only 1.72 percent of ground water is available.
- Of all the water bodies of the state, only the Chambal river basin has surplus water available. However, this water also cannot be used directly as the area around Kota Barrage is declared as a crocodile sanctuary.
- Therefore, the purpose of the ‘East Rajasthan Canal Project’ (ERCP) is to build a network of water streams. This network will expand to 67 percent area of Rajasthan and will be able to supply water to 13 percent population of the state.
Source – The Hindu
