NEW DELHI: Top Union Jal Shakti ministry officials on Tuesday briefed Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on steps being taken for water conservation and inter-linking of rivers. The briefing covered intra-state river-linking initiatives as well as key programmes such as Namami Gange, the National River Conservation Plan, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme.
According to the Vice President's secretariat, Radhakrishnan appreciated the department's flagship initiative 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari', which was launched to strengthen water conservation and groundwater recharge through a whole-of-society approach. Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary, and senior officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.
In 2019, the government had renamed and reorganised the Water Resources ministry into the Jal Shakti ministry. This restructuring aimed to consolidate efforts in water management and conservation under a single umbrella. The briefing highlighted progress in various river-linking projects, which are intended to address regional water disparities and enhance irrigation potential.
Vice President Radhakrishnan emphasized the importance of community participation in water conservation and urged officials to accelerate the implementation of ongoing schemes. The meeting underscored the government's commitment to sustainable water management and the critical role of river inter-linking in ensuring water security for future generations.
