Title: Need to connect the Ganges and Brahmaputra to the rivers in the South to control the natural calamities and create irrigation potential in South India.
SHRI B.M. MENSINKAI (DHARWARD SOUTH): Sir, I would like to bring to the kind notice of the Central Government the fact that recently the hon. Prime Minister made a statement that the National Express Highways would be constructed to connect Jammu & Kashmir with Kanyakumari by spending an amount of Rs. 28,000 crore.
Sir, lakhs of people are suffering and dying annually, because of natural calamities like floods, in the northern rivers, namely, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. If these two rivers could be connected to the rivers in the South, then not only the chances of calamities would be reduced but it would also create abundant irrigation potential in the South.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now.
>SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA (KOLAR): Sir, when the late Morarji Desai was the Prime Minister, a plan for diversion of rivers was prepared. Irrigation should be given first priority and so, the construction of roads should be postponed. Since construction of roads has been given the first priority, as per the Press statement, I would like to appeal to the Government, through you, to consider providing irrigation facilities as the first priority.