In News: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has been strongly demanding national project status for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).
Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project( ERCP)
- ERCP is planned to harvest surplus yield available in the Southern Rajasthan rivers and transfer to deficit basins in South-Eastern Rajasthan.
- Under the project the surplus water in the sub basins of Kunnu, Kul, Parvati, Kalisindh and Mej rivers received during monsoon has to be carried to the sub basin of Banas, Morel, Banganga, Gambhir and Parbati rivers.
- ERCP is planned to meet the Drinking water needs of the 13 districts of Southern & South Eastern Rajasthan viz. Jhalawar, Bara, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Dausa, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur of Rajasthan for Humans and Livestock till year 2051.
- The project will help to irrigate nearly 2.8 lakh hectares of land through 26 different large and medium projects.
Benefits
- Will enhance availability of surface water & Ground water in the region.
- Will also take care of Flood/ Drought situation in the area.Would also boost the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) in Alwar district and generate employment for youths of the state.
Phases of Project
- The Project will be executed in three phases.
- The first phase of the project will extend from Galway Dam to Dholpur,
- The second phase will extend from Galway to Bisalpur-Isarda,
- The third phase will extend from Galway to Alwar
Schedule Timing
- Proposed to be completed in three phases in seven years from year 2017 to 2023.
- First Phase of about 18474.0 crore is proposed to be completed in five year from year 2017 to 2021
Benefits of National Project Status:
- Increase in Central Government funding: In the project with national project status the funding pattern is 90:10 (Center:State)
- Current Status: ERCP is 60% by the Centre and 40% by the state.