Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) envisages intra-basin transfer of water within the Chambal Basin by utilising surplus monsoon water available in Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej and Chakan sub-basins and diverting it into water deficit sub-basins of Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan. The project also envisages irrigation in about 2.82 lakh hectare area (new culturable command area of 2,02,498 hectare and stabilization of irrigation in 80,000 hectare).

For inclusion of a project for funding under National Projects scheme of Government of India, it is to be first appraised by Central Water Commission (CWC), and accepted by the Advisory Committee on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose Projects of this Ministry. Thereafter, investment clearance is to be obtained by the State Government. Subsequently, the project is to be considered by the High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) to examine if the project meets the laid down norms for the National Project scheme. On being recommended by HPSC, and as per availability of funds etc., Government of India may approve inclusion of a project under the National Projects scheme.

Detailed project report (DPR) of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) was submitted by Government of Rajasthan to CWC in November, 2017 for techno-economic appraisal. However, appraisal of the project could not move further as the project is planned on 50% dependable yield against the established norm of 75% dependability. Thus, ERCP does not fulfill the criteria laid down for inclusion under National Projects scheme of this Ministry

However, Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers has, in December, 2022 approved the proposal of considering the modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project integrated with ERCP, as a part of National Perspective Plan, and declared the phase-I of the project as a priority interlinking project. A draft pre-feasibility report of modified PKC link project and a draft MoU for preparing the detailed project report (DPR) of the link project was sent to both the States and Central Water Commission (CWC) in January, 2023. A joint meeting with the States was held in February, 2023 and framework for initiating the work of preparation of DPR of modified PKC link has been finalized during the meeting.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri  Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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AS

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