New Delhi: In a significant stride in the water management sector, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the “Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC)-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).” This project is the second under the national perspective plan of the Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) program initiated by the Government of India.
The MoU, signed on January 28, 2024, at New Delhi, marks a momentous occasion for both states and the ILR program. Dr. Rajesh Kumar Rajora, ACS, WRD, Government of MP, Sh. Abhay Kumar, ACS, WRD, Government of Rajasthan, and Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, MoJS, GoI, were the signatories on the MoU.
The “Modified PKC-ERCP” project involves the integration of the original PKC with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, aligning with the national perspective plan for interlinking rivers. The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Sh. Mohan Yadav, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and Sh. Bhajan Lal Sharma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
Under the able leadership of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, a comprehensive consensus-building exercise was undertaken to foster cooperation between the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for the successful implementation of this project. The achievement of consensus reflects cooperative federalism and sets the stage for joint development and inter-basin water transfers in the Chambal basin.
The “Modified PKC-ERCP” link project aims to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan, Malwa, and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, it will facilitate irrigation in an area exceeding 2.8 lakh hectares in both states, including the supplementation of enroute tanks. The project is designed to optimize and economically utilize the available water resources of the Chambal basin.
The feasibility report of the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project was circulated to concerned state governments in February 2004. Rajasthan proposed the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) in 2019. Subsequently, discussions were held to integrate the ERCP with the PKC link, and the project gained approval as one of the priority link projects under the national perspective plan.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Modified PKC-ERCP link project is currently in progress. Following the DPR’s completion, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will be finalized among the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Union Government. The MoA will outline the scope of work, water sharing, cost and benefit sharing, implementation mechanisms, and arrangements for the management and control of water in the Chambal basin.
The signing of the MoU marks a crucial step towards realizing the objectives of the Interlinking of Rivers program and harnessing water resources for sustainable development in the region.