The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Interlinking rivers

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Monday, Dec 05, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Interlinking rivers

Is President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's suggestion of interlinking rivers in Tamil Nadu viable? To sustain water resources in a fruitful manner, interlinking is a desirable option. But this issue assumes significance only during droughts and floods. Many experts have said that diverting the natural course of a river will only lead to ecological disasters. Floods are not an annual occurrence in Tamil Nadu. The rivers are not perennial in nature and are dependent on the rains. Constructing check dams can reduce wastage of surplus water.

V. Pandy,
Tuticorin, T.N.

The President's suggestion is welcome. The proposal to interlink rivers was made during the Nehru era and the NDA regime. But due to various hurdles, it did not take off. Experts cited environmental problems. And the Government cited the problem of huge investment.

While it may not be possible to take up a project covering all the rivers in India, smaller projects involving two or three States are manageable and worth attempting. The network suggested by Mr. Kalam will go a long way in solving problems such as flooding and water shortage.

E. Sivasankaran,
San Jose, California

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