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Dams can solve NCR water crisis: Hooda

Special Correspondent

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opens conclave of CMs of Northern States

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday described as "unfortunate'' the water dispute between Haryana and Punjab over the share of the former in Ravi-Beas waters at the conclave of Chief Ministers of Northern States here, saying that the dispute needed to be resolved urgently. The conclave was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr. Hooda, who attended the inaugural session, could not attend the technical session thereafter because of his "other engagements''. His speech was read out by Education Minister Phool Chand Mullana.

The Chief Minister asserted that Haryana's share of the Ravi-Beas waters would lead to additional irrigation of 3 lakh hectares of land and production of 8 lakh tonnes of food grains per annum. He pointed out that the reorganisation of States had given rise to new disputes on sharing of natural resources, especially river waters. Optimum use of river waters in the Northern Region could not be achieved without collaboration and constructive engagement among the States.

He sought liberal financial assistance from the Centre for execution of the identified hydel power generation and storage projects in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal, which were endowed with a huge potential for hydel power generation.

"The construction of the Kishau, Renuka and Lakhwar-Vyasi dams across the tributaries of Yamuna could solve the drinking water problems of the entire National Capital Region and generate an additional 1,000 MW of power. Issues related to sharing of cost, power and water needed to be settled amicably between all the States to clear the way for implementation of these projects."

Mr. Hooda said that construction of storage dams on the Ujh and Basantar, tributaries of the Ravi in Jammu and Kashmir, and a barrage across the Ravi near Ajnala in Punjab along with a link canal to divert the water to the Beas needed to be examined for early implementation. In the absence of suitable engineering structures, more than three MAF water was still flowing to Pakistan. He said his Government was currently implementing two major irrigation projects for optimising water utilisation in the State. The multipurpose channel linking the Bhakra Main Line with the Hansi Branch and Butana Branch canals would ensure equitable distribution of available water among different regions of the State.

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Dams can solve NCR water crisis: Hooda

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