Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nainar Nagenthran reiterated the party’s push for swift execution of river-linking projects in India. He emphasized the crucial role of interconnecting major river systems in tackling the nation’s water crisis and ensuring fair water distribution among states. Nagenthran specifically highlighted the significance of the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, aimed at transferring excess water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the water-deficient Betwa basin in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP leader underscored the importance of states collaborating to optimize water resources, citing the Ken-Betwa project as a model for addressing regions with water shortages. Nagenthran stressed that river interlinking is no longer a choice but a necessity for India’s future, urging all states, including Tamil Nadu, to wholeheartedly support such initiatives in the national interest. He also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advocacy for balanced water utilization across the country to enhance agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and drinking water security.
Nagenthran recalled PM Modi’s emphasis on efficient water distribution during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, highlighting the transformative impact of the Narmada river water network expansion. He traced the concept of national river-linking back to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, which proposed connecting various major river systems to ensure equitable water distribution. Despite legal and administrative obstacles hindering these projects, Nagenthran noted the government’s efforts, under PM Modi, to advance initiatives enhancing water availability for different sectors.
Addressing Tamil Nadu’s vulnerability to water scarcity due to reliance on external river sources, Nagenthran stressed the need for sustained investments in water-sharing infrastructure and enhanced inter-state cooperation. He urged prioritizing river-linking projects as critical national endeavors essential for combating droughts, enhancing agricultural resilience, and securing water resources for future generations.
