Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat assured on Saturday that the East Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) would be successfully concluded within the next five years. The ERCP initiative, introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017-18, is aimed at delivering drinking and irrigation water to 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan.
During the ERCP Dhanyawad Yatra event in Alwar’s Barodamev, attended by Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the minister pledged to finalize the project within the specified timeframe. Addressing the public gathering, Shekhawat expressed the government’s commitment to providing water to households within the stipulated period.
Highlighting the significance of the ERCP project, Shekhawat noted that it would act as a vital water source for Eastern Rajasthan, akin to the life-giving Ganga. He underscored the importance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance in initiating and completing the project, emphasizing the government’s dedication to executing this significant undertaking.
Taking a dig at former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Shekhawat accused him of politicizing the ERCP and not prioritizing the welfare of the people. He detailed the modifications made to the ERCP project, known as the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-East Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP), which is estimated to cost Rs 45,000 crore in Rajasthan. The minister outlined the extensive benefits, including providing drinking water to 3.5 crore people across 13 districts, irrigating 2.8 lakh hectares of land, and filling numerous ponds and dams.
Shekhawat also highlighted the positive impact of Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives over the past 10 years, leading to significant improvements in the lives of the poor. He assured that the Government of India would contribute 90 percent of the funds for the PKC-ERCP project, with the Rajasthan government covering the remaining 10 percent.
Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, affirming their commitment to the revised ERCP project. The modified project aims to enhance water utilization in the Chambal basin economically and optimally, providing drinking and industrial water to various regions. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) will determine the specific components and areas of benefit in consultation with both states.
