For inclusion of a project for funding under National Projects scheme of Government of India, it is to be first appraised by Central Water Commission (CWC), and accepted by the Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose projects of this Ministry. Thereafter, investment clearance is to be obtained by the State Government. Subsequently, the project is to be considered by the High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) to examine if the project meets the laid down norms for the National Project scheme. On being recommended by HPSC, and as per availability of funds etc., Government of India may approve inclusion of a project under the National Projects scheme.

Detailed project report (DPR) of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) was submitted by Govt. of Rajasthan in November, 2017 for techno-economic appraisal to CWC. However, appraisal of the project could not move further as the project was planned on 50% dependable yield against the established norm of 75% dependability. However, Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers has, in December, 2022 approved the proposal of considering the modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project integrated with ERCP as a part of National Perspective Plan, and declared the phase-I of the project as a priority interlinking project. A draft Pre-Feasibility Report of Modified PKC link project and a draft MoU for preparing the DPR of the link project has been sent to both the States and CWC in January, 2023. A joint meeting with the States was held in February, 2023 and framework for initiating the work of preparation of DPR of Modified PKC link has been finalized during the meeting. The issue of modified PKC link was also deliberated in the 17th meeting of Task Force for Interlinking of Rivers (TFILR) that was held in March, 2023. Though requests have been received, but so far no formal proposal, as per the prescribed proforma, for inclusion of ERCP as a National Project has been submitted by Government of Rajasthan.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

*****

AS

(Release ID: 1941107)