Clashing projections in DPRs for Metro Line-2 raise eyebrows
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While the fresh report estimates a passenger count of 2.3 lakh passengers for Metro Line 2 in 2031, the earlier DPR estimated around 6.8 lakh daily passengers would use Metro Line 2 by 2031.
This huge difference in passenger estimation has divided experts into two sections. A section of officials blamed the previous govt and stated the estimation wass intentionally hiked to increase the chance of loan approval for the project.
"Jaipur Metro is the only metro service in the country that is solely constructed and operated by the state govt. All other metro services in India run on a central-state partnership. We feel, to ensure a high chance of loans for this project to get approved, the estimated figures were deliberately hiked," said a senior official from Urban Development and Housing (UDH) Department.
Another section of officials feels RITES estimated the passenger count 'low' keeping in mind the passenger footfall in Metro Line 1, which operates from Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar at present.
Although DMRC estimated a footfall of 1.23 lakh by 2025 for Line 1, the present average footfall of Line 1 is around 50,000 only.
"Both the DPRs were prepared in March 2012 with Line 2 as a priority, which means the initial plan was to construct the metro on Tonk Road first and then on the Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar stretch. Estimation of the Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar stretch was done keeping in view that both lines are operating simultaneously. If the govt continued with the earlier plan, passengers' footfall would have also increased significantly on the Mansarovar to Badi Chaupar stretch," a metro official said.
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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Political slugfest erupts between Congress and BJP over Par Tapi Narmada River-Link project
The controversy over the Par Tapi Narmada River-Link project has resurfaced in South Gujarat's tribal-dominated districts even as a fresh political tussle has broken out between the BJP and the Congress. Meanwhile, the Par Tapi Narmada Link Project Hatao Sangharsh Samithi has decided to hold a public rally and meeting in Valsad on August 14, with similar meetings to follow in Tapi and Dangs districts. On Sunday, Gujarat BJP president and Union Minister CR Paatil while participating in a public event in Navsari had clarified that the project has been shelved for now. Replying to a question regarding the project status, Paatil said, 'The Par Tapi Narmada River-Link project has been postponed'. Targeting the Opposition, the Union minister said: 'The Congress leaders had no other issues, so they took up this (project) and misguided innocent tribal people. I wanted to assure the tribal communities that the government will never carry out any project which is against them… it is the instruction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.' Recently, the project was also discussed in the Parliament during which it was claimed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the project has been completed. Replying to a question, related to the project, in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State (MoS) for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary informed that the Central Government has formulated the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for the Inter-Linking of Rivers (ILR) programme to facilitate the transfer of water from surplus to deficit basins and regions. The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) will be responsible for implementing the ILR projects under the NPP framework. A total of 30 ILR projects have been identified, encompassing two major components: the Himalayan Component with 14 link projects and the Peninsular Component with 16 link projects, said the minister. As of July 2025, the Pre-Feasibility Reports (PFRs) have been completed for all 30 projects, Feasibility Reports (FRs) for 26 projects, and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 11 projects. The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is the first interlinking initiative, under the NPP, to have entered the implementation stage. For other link projects, under the NPP, considerations such as budgetary provisions, fund allocations, and expenditure will be taken up once these projects advance to the implementation phase, said sources. Earlier on July 29, Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly, Dr Tushar Chaudhary, had written to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and asked to clarify the project status. In the letter, Dr Chaudhary mentioned that 'in 2022, there was a widespread protest among the tribals in Valsad, Tapi and Dangs districts in South Gujarat over the project, following which, the state government had assured the tribals that the Central government project will not take place, as the state government's consent is necessary, and they won't give consent'. 'The tribals of South Gujarat are tense, and as the Chief Minister, you have to offer a clarification,' stated the letter. Meanwhile, CR Paatil during the Sunday's function also slammed Congress leader Dr Tushar Chaudhary over the letter. 'Dr Chaudhary has previously held the post of the MoS in the Central government… he should know that no such DPR was presented in the Parliament,' said Paatil. Replying to Paatil, the Congress MLA of Vansda in Navsari district, Anant Patel, in a video on social media, said, 'If you (BJP and Paatil) want to regain the trust of the tribal community, 'you' give it in writing that the project has been cancelled and will not take place.' Meanwhile, Valsad BJP MP Dhaval Patel during a press conference on Sunday said, 'The Par Tapi Narmada river-linking project will not take place in South Gujarat. I am assuring you as a son of a tribal. The Congress leaders are unnecessarily misguiding the innocent tribals.' Sharing the details about the August 14 meeting, MLA Anant Patel told the Indian Express, 'A large number of tribals from different districts and talukas will gather at Dharampur town in Valsad on August 14 to protest against the project'. He added, 'This event will be non-political. We will address the tribals in the town during a rally and hand a memorandum to the Mamlatdar.' He further added, 'We are also going to carry out similar public meetings and rallies in Tapi and Dangs districts in the coming days to make the tribals aware about the project.' Patel said, 'If Union Minister Paatil claims that the project won't take place, then he should release a white paper on this issue in the Parliament.' The project was envisioned under the 1980 National Perspective Plan under the former Union Ministry of Irrigation and the Central Water Commission (CWC). The project proposes to transfer river water from the surplus regions of the Western Ghats to the deficit regions of Saurashtra and Kutch. It proposes to link three rivers — Par, originating from Nashik in Maharashtra and flowing through Valsad, Tapi from Saputara that flows through Maharashtra and Surat in Gujarat, and Narmada originating in Madhya Pradesh and flowing through Maharashtra and Bharuch and Narmada districts in Gujarat. The link mainly includes the construction of seven dams (Jheri, Mohankavchali, Paikhed, Chasmandva, Chikkar, Dabdar and Kelwan), three diversion weirs (Paikhed, Chasmandva, and Chikkar dams), two tunnels (5.0 kilometers and 0.5 kilometers length), the 395-kilometre long canal (205 kilometre in Par-Tapi portion including the length of feeder canals and 190 km in Tapi-Narmada portion), and six powerhouses. Of these, the Jheri dam falls in Nashik, while the remaining dams are in Valsad and Dang districts of South Gujarat.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
State disputes, study gaps stall Indias river-linking push: Parl panel
New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) India's flagship river interlinking programme, launched to tackle water scarcity, drought and floods, is struggling to move beyond the planning stage due to delays, inadequate studies and persistent disputes between states, a parliamentary panel has said. In its seventh report on the action taken by the government, the Standing Committee on Water Resources noted that while pre-feasibility studies have been completed for all 30 identified link projects under the National Perspective Plan and feasibility reports for 24, detailed project reports (DPRs) exist for only 11. Just one link — the Ken-Betwa project — is currently under implementation, with completion targeted for March 2030. Five links have been prioritised — Ken-Betwa, the Godavari-Cauvery link (three sub-links) and the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link. The committee said an amount of Rs 4,000 crore was allocated in 2024-25 for land acquisition, rehabilitation and state reimbursements, but consensus between states 'remains a persistent obstacle" despite 'numerous meetings" to address concerns. It urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to undertake socio-economic, environmental and ecological benefit studies for more projects before DPR completion, arguing that this could help win state support and expedite work. 'The Committee, would therefore, reiterate their recommendation and again urge the department to conduct more studies evaluating the benefits of the projects, thereby enhancing awareness amongst the states concerned and expediting implementation of link projects under the programme," the report said. The panel also warned that under-utilisation of funds under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) could undermine its effectiveness. In 2023-24, the programme's budget was cut by 55.5 per cent at the revised estimates stage due to a lack of proposals from states. Thirty projects from earlier plan periods remain incomplete and the committee called for a 'more intense and dedicated approach" to ensure timely completion, particularly in border states prone to severe flooding. On floodplain encroachments, it said draft technical guidelines on zoning were circulated to states in 2024 but are yet to be finalised. It pressed for swift approval and strict enforcement to curb unregulated construction that worsens flood impacts. Dam safety was another major concern. The National Dam Safety Authority has filled only 32 of its 85 sanctioned posts, while state dam safety bodies face similar shortages. The report urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to report back within three months on manpower gaps, completion of studies and progress in guideline enforcement. PTI UZM RC view comments First Published: August 11, 2025, 19:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Bommai sees need for apolitical struggle to get Bedti-Varada river linking project launched
An apolitical struggle is needed to get the Bedti-Varada river linking project launched, BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said in Haveri on Sunday. He said that the Union government has agreed to consider positively the demand for such a project. The former Chief Minister was speaking at a preliminary meeting on the river linking project in Haveri. 'I feel there is a surge of public support for the Bedti-Varada river linking project. We should all realise that nothing is greater than people's power. Just as small streams join to form a river, these small rivers of farmers will merge into a great river, as this project requires an apolitical struggle to be fulfilled,' Mr. Bommai said. Addressing the meeting on the Hukkeri Mutt premises, he said that by managing rivers properly, water can be utilised efficiently. 'Utilising rivers that flow westwards is a big challenge. This raises environmental, forest and biodiversity concerns. If about 100 acres are submerged, opposition arises and cases reach the Supreme Court. Even in the Mahadayi issue, it was not just Goans who opposed it but also environmentalists from Karnataka,' he said. Mr. Bommai said that the river linking project has been on the agenda for many years. It was the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who made river linking a national issue. There are river linking projects elsewhere too. Projects south of the Vindhya mountains face major challenges. River linking helps control floods and makes water available where it is scarce. 'The Varada-Bedti river linking is among the first prospective projects. In 2005, when the former MP Manjunath Konnur and BJP MP Govind Karjol made a move to implement it, there was strong opposition,' he said. The BJP MP said that when he was Water Resources Minister, he examined the environmental issues and made some changes in 2017. Another modification was made in 2022. There are two proposals — one for Varada-Bedti and the other for Bedti-Dharma-Varada link. The DPR (Detailed Project Report) is not yet ready but a pre-feasibility report exists. The State has approved it. He said he met Union Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil and Minister V. Somanna and held discussions with them. They have assured a positive response within a week, he said. 'Once the DPR is ready, we will know exactly how much water can he used. There are streams like Hirehalla, Bedti and Shalmala. They will know how much water Varada can supply for use in Haveri district. They must also plan where to store this water so that fertile land are not submerged. They need to work with awareness at every stage of this project,' he said. 'We must convince people in Uttara Kannada that the revised project will not harm them. With sincerity, every problem can be solved. We must think about how to utilise approximately 26 tmcft of water. This cannot happen in a day. It is a long process and we must be prepared. We must engage in politics to demand water for our district but the struggle must be non-partisan. When Maharashtra opposed the move to raise the Almatti dam height, all of their party members united. In the Cauvery issue, all political leaders in Tamil Nadu stand together. Likewise, to ensure drinking water for our farmers, everyone must unite. We must form a committee with all MLAs, farmer leaders and get the blessings of swamijis to take this forward,' he said. The BJP MP said that obstacles will come but they must overcome them to reach the goal. Nothing is greater than people's power. That people's power has emerged here. Just as small streams join to form a river, the Bedti stream will merge with the Tungabhadra to become a great river. The former MP Manjunath Konnur has played a big role in keeping the Bedti-Varada struggle going. Though he has faced political difficulties, God will bless his stand for the cause. Even if our views differ, the goal is the same and it must be achieved together. Positive politics will begin in Haveri district. The Bedti-Varada river linking must happen,' he said. Seers of some religious maths, political leaders, farmers leaders and others were present.
