The government has plans to complete the linkage of 30 rivers within ten years with the consent of concerned states without violating environmental norms.

Replying to supplementaries during question hour in the Lok Sabha today, Water Resources and River Development Minister Uma Bharati said Ken-Betwa rivers linkage project is about to begin as all formalities in this regard have been completed.

She said the Supreme Court has also directed to start the linkage project. She said the linkage of rivers across the country will help in increasing irrigation facilities in an area of 35 million hectares and also help in producing 34 thousand Megawatts of power.

The Minister said the NDA government has decided to provide irrigation facilities in drought-hit areas across the country.

In this connection, she appealed to the members for creating a conducive atmosphere in the country in favour
of linking the rivers.