The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is poised to attain national project status, integrating with the River Linking Project, as confirmed in a meeting chaired by Union Minister for Water Power, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting focused on the modified draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for ERCP, resulting in a consensus between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Subsequently, Chief Ministers Bhairon Lal Sharma and Mohan Yadav will finalise the project outline, paving the way for an MoU signing between the central government and the state governments involved.
ERCP, aimed at connecting 11 rivers and encompassing the construction of six dams and one reservoir, has already commenced work on the Navnera Dam in the Pipalda tehsil of Kota district. Additional planned components include the Kunnu Barrage on the Kunnu River, the Ramgarh Barrage on the Kool River, and the Mahalpur Barrage on the Parvati River. Furthermore, the Mez Barrage on the Mez River and the Rathore Barrage on the Banas River are integral to the project in the Indragarh tehsil of Bundi district and the Barwada tehsil of Sawai Madhopur district, respectively.
While ERCP faced disputes during the Gehlot government in Rajasthan, the BJP has initiated steps to resolve these issues. The decision, expected before the Model Code of Conduct implementation for the Lok Sabha elections, is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to strengthen its political standing in the affected 13 districts, comprising 83 assembly and 9 Lok Sabha seats. With the central government adopting a new funding model, ERCP will now be included in the River Linking Project as a national endeavour, with the central government contributing 90% of the funds and the state government responsible for the remaining 10%. During the Congress rule, approximately 1600 crores were spent on ERCP, with notable progress on the Navnera Dam and the Isarda Barrage. The ongoing work, with expenditures of 904 crores and 672 crores, respectively, is reaching completion. The formation of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project Corporation is instrumental in overseeing the construction of small dams across the 13 districts, promising water access for both drinking and irrigation purposes, covering nearly two lakh hectares of land.
