Bharat Jodo Yatra to cover 13 ERCP dists

Jaipur: The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project which covers 13 districts of the Eastern Rajasthan will become a major issue during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. It is a coincidence that the ‘Padyatra’ of Rahul Gandhi will pass through those districts in Rajasthan which are included in the ERCP project. Ministers, MLAs and Congress leaders are constantly targeting the Modi government on the issue while demanding from the centre to declare it a National Project. In December, Gandhi’s yatra will pass through Jhalawar, Kota, Baran, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa and Alwar districts of Rajasthan, which are among the 13 districts covered under the ERCP. ERCP is a major issue in these districts. CM Ashok Gehlot has written letters to the PM demanding to declare ERCP a National Project as promised by him during election rallies in the State. ERCP, conceptualised by the former BJP government, is an ambitious project which will provide irrigation and drinking water in 13 districts.

The project aims at harvesting surplus water available during the rainy season in the Chambal and its tributaries Kunnu, Parvati and Kalisindh, and use it in 13 districts where there is a scarcity of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa and Dholpur are the districts that will benefit from the project. People of these districts have huge hopes from this project. Many labourers from these districts have to migrate in search of work. People say that ERCP will address water needs & can transform Eastern Raj scenario.