River linking will end water woes: Union Minister

Vizianagaram (AP), Jan 12: Union Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Jan 11 said interlinking of rivers will help solve water problems.

He said this at a review meeting of Thotapalli irrigation project held here with the irrigation, revenue and municipal officials.

"Water scarcity can be done away if rivers are interlinked," the Minister said.

He asked the officials to expedite the Thotapalli irrigation project and complete it by June 2016. During the meeting, the Minister was told that by completing 90 per cent of works of this project, water could be provided to 1.1 lakh acres of land in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

Currently, Thotapalli project provides water to 34,200 acres in Vizianagaram district and 33,600 acres in Srikakulam district.

"Ensure that the project is completed at the earliest," the Minister told the officials. He also asked them to expedite the Tarakarama irrigation project.

PTI