NATIONAL INTERLINKING OF RIVERS AUTHORITY (NIRA)

March 5, 2020

The Central government is working on the establishment of proposed National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA), an exclusive body to implement inter-State and intra-State projects. It will also make arrangements for generating funds, internally and externally.

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An official of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), which is responsible for the formulation of proposals of the linking of rivers, said an updated draft Cabinet note has been circulated to other Ministries in the Central government.
On receipt of comments, the note will be finalised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and sent to the Union Cabinet for approval.
Once approved, the projects will be pursued as national projects, wherein the Centre will absorb 90% of the cost and the States concerned the rest.
As of now, six Inter-Linking River (ILR) projects — the Ken-Betwa, Damanganga-Pinjal, Par-Tapi-Narmada, Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga, Mahanadi-Godavari and Godavari-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) — have been under examination of the authorities.

Source : The Hindu