On 14th June 2020, the Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot has requested Union Government to conferring national project status to Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).
In Rajasthan Budget 2018. the Chief Minister has announced several schemes to the tune to Rs 52,000 crore, including development of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) at cost of Rs 37,500 crore.
Background of ERCP
The surface water of Rajasthan has been divided into 15 River basins and one outside basin area. It is estimated that out of fifteen river basins surplus water is available only in Chambal and Mahi basin. Within Chambal basin, during rainy season Kunnu, Kul, Parbati, Kalisindh, Mez, and Chakan sub-basins are also having surplus yield, while Banas, Banganga, Ghambhiri and Parbati sub-basins are deficit in yield.
Hence, Eastern Rajasthan Canal Projects (ERCP) is planned to harvest surplus yield available in the Southern Rajasthan rivers and transfer to deficit basins in South-Eastern Rajasthan.
Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project: ERCP
- Under the project the surplus water in the sub basins of Kunnu, Kul, Parvati, Kalisindh and Mej rivers received during monsoon has to be carried to the sub basin of Banas, Morel, Banganga, Gambhir and Parbati rivers.
- ERCP is planned to meet the Drinking water needs of the 13 districts of Southern & South Eastern Rajasthan viz. Jhalawar, Bara, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Dausa, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur of Rajasthan for Humans and Live stock till year 2051.
- The project will help to irrigate nearly 2.8 lakh hectares of land through 26 different large and medium projects.
- Additional Benefits:
- Will enhance availability of surface water & Ground water in the region.
- Will also take care of Flood/ Drought situation in the area.
- Would also boost the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) in Alwar district and generate employment for youths of the state.
- The Project will be executed in three phases.
- The first phase of the project will extend from Galwa Dam to Dholpur,
- The second phase will extend from Galwa to Bisalpur-Isarda,
- The third phase will extend from Galwa to Alwar
Time Schedule:
- The project is proposed to be completed in three phases in seven years from year 2017 to 2023.
- First Phase of about 18474.0 crore is proposed to be completed in five year from year 2017 to 2021
Benefits of National Project Status:
- Increase in Central Government funding: In the project with national project status the funding pattern is 90:10 (Center:State) but currently in ERCP it is 60% by the Centre and 40% by the state.
References:
- (The Hindu1)
- The Hindu News
- Times of India
- Government Document
- 2020 – Request for National Project Status: HT-NEWS
