30 river linking projects identified: Kirit Parikh

New Delhi, Mar.17 (ANI): Around 30 river linking projects have been identified which will ensure equitable water distribution, but unfortunately due to state level issues associated with water, only two projects have been consented upon, said, Dr. Kirit S. Parikh, Member Planning Commission.

He was speaking at a Workshop on "CSR and Sustainable Water Management" "Rainwater Harvesting", organised today by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Parikh said that legislations for ground water harvesting are inadequate. The industrial water extraction has to be regulated with specifications on permissible amount of water extraction.

Such regulations should be augmented by mechanisms for adequate recharge of water by adopting rain water harvesting and water recycling etc. On agricultural front the industry should come up to redesign cropping patterns, irrigation and allied technologies that use less water. He also urged the industries to treat effluents and not to pollute water.

Dr. Parikh said that climate change has completely changed the hydrologic cycle. A cooperative assistance and host of policy change at micro as well as macro level should be looked at immediately. He said that round the clock water supply in Delhi could ensure better utilisation. Additionally several leaking points in water supply and storage points should be corrected, he stated.

Keynote speaker Ram Mohan Mishra said, every problem brings along prospects of business.

He said that as the Government of India is looking at investments worth of Rs. 50,000 crore in water sector, the industry should take advantage of this opportunity.

Indian enterprises can find better water management technology and seek international cooperation in the sector. The business preposition can further be strengthened by administering water usage; understanding water availability for society and industry; and extrapolate future demand and challenges, he added.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, G C Narang, Member CII NR Council and Convenor, Power Panel Haryana State Council, stated that industry being a significant consumer of water, should look at extensive water management. The future will see increased water consumption that should be aligned with improved strategic water management, he added.

In his concluding remarks, S Sen from CII pointed out that for small-scale industry more common effluent treatment plants should be set up.

He said that industry is taking initiatives in regard to water reuse and recycling. A regular dialogue with the Government should be undertaken on policy issues for addressing the problems. (ANI)