Ken-Betwa inter-linking project at advanced stage: Govt

NEW DELHI: Ken-Betwa inter-linking project is at an advanced stage, the government said today in the Lok Sabha as it spelt out the steps being taken to deal with the drought situation being witnessed in several parts of the country.

"Inter-linking of Ken-Betwa is in the final stage. Environment clearance is being awaited," Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat today said in his intervention during a discussion on drought.

Water is a state subject and state government concurrence have been obtained, he said.

Jat further said that 9 meetings have already taken place and the project would start once all approvals are in place.

Inter-linking of rivers is the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government is working accordingly, he said.

Giving details of the drought situation, Jat said water has dropped 58 metre in Maharashtra, 46.1 metre in Telangana and 13.8 metre in Jharkhand.

Drought situation in many parts of the country is grave, he said.