Inter Linking of Rivers to get Priority: Naidu

New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) The government will take up inter-linking of rivers on a priority basis, Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Tuesday.

Speaking during a function organised to mark the 'India Water Week' in the capital, Naidu said: "Whatever obstacles come, that have to be addressed and they have to be removed."

"Some of our environmental friends are raising voices. There will be voices in democracy, let there be. We have to take up rivers inter-linking on a priority basis," he added.

The minister said that an atmosphere needs to be created in the country so that river inter-linking becomes a people's movement.

Naidu said that his ministry is planning to make water harvesting mandatory for all local bodies.

"I am proposing in the coming days that all urban bodies should make it mandatory to have water harvesting system within their houses and farms. That is going to be the priority also," he said.

Minister of State for Environment Prakash Javadekar on this occasion said that the water management for a sustainable development should also be considered.