The proposed Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), set to benefit 13 districts of Rajasthan through interlinking of three rivers, has taken a political twist following the Centre’s directive to stop all work in view of “lack of consent” by other States. The Congress government has termed the Centre’s interference undesirable and described it as crossing the line of cooperative federalism.
Rajasthan has been demanding the national project status for ERCP for quite some time, while pointing out that any delay in its implementation would lead to a phenomenal increase in its cost, which is at present estimated at ₹37,200 crore. The ambitious project stipulates transfer of excess water from the Chambal river basin to the regions facing water scarcity.
