Government has taken up Interlinking of River (ILR) programme under National Perspective Plan on a high priority. Water Resources Ministry in a release said, the detailed project reports of Ken – Betwa Link Project, Damanganga – Pinjal Link Project and Par-Tapi-Narmada link project have been completed. It said, the various clearances in respect of Ken-Betwa link project, Phase-I are in the advanced stage of processing. <br/><br/>In addition to National Perspective Plan on interlinking of rivers, National Water Development Agency has taken up the proposals of Intra-State river linking in a vigorous manner. The Ministry said, pre-feasibility reports of 35 Intra-State river linking have been prepared and submitted to concerned State governments. It said, detailed project reports of two Intra-State river linking projects namely Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga and Kosi-Mechi have already been prepared and submitted to government of Bihar.<br/><br/>The Interlinking of Rivers Programme is critical for enhancing water and food security of the country especially in the water short, drought prone and rainfed farming areas. The Ministry said, government is committed to the Implementation of the ILR Programme through consensus and cooperation of the concerned State Governments.