Bhopal: Former Deputy Prime Minister Shri Lal Krishna Advani has said that Narmada-Kshipra Link Project will serve as guide in the country. Shri Advani was addressing Narmada-Kshipra Milan Samaroh at Ujjain today. Along with Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, he launched the project by releasing Narmada water from a kalsh into Kshipra river.
Shri Advani said that Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s achievement of linking Narmada with Kshipra will serve as a guide not only for other states, but also the future Central governments. Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced river-link project. the Supreme court had also directed to carry the project forward. However, this project was implemented by Madhya Pradesh, which is definitely praiseworthy.
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Narmada-Kshipra Link Project was necessary to save Malwa from becoming a desert. This is project’s first phase. Later, Gambhir, Parwati and Kali Sindh rivers will also be linked with Narmada. Shri Chouhan said that fulfilling dream of Atal Ji, 16 lakh acre will be irrigated and drinking water will be provided to 3 thousand villages and 72 towns in the region through the project. He said that Madhya Pradesh is progressing on the path of development. Infosys has come to Indore and Narmada to Ujjain. Besides, country’s largest solar power project is set to be inaugurated in Neemuch district.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Smt. Sushma Swaraj said that confluence of Narmada and Kshipra gives spiritual bliss. Kshipra river had dried up and Ujjain city had lost its lustre. But now Malwa region will regain its pristine glory due to Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s achievement of linking Narmada with Kshipra. Maharashtra’s former Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari said that confluence of both the holy rivers is a historic event. He congratulated Madhya Pradesh government on fulfilling dream of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said that Bhagirath of modern era Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan deserves fulsome praise for bringing Narmada water to Kshipra. Apart from solving drinking water problem, the project will also provide irrigation water to farmers.
Ram Ghat and Datt Akhada were profusely bedecked and decorated on the occasion of Narmada’s confluence with Kshipra. Large number of people accorded a warm welcome to Maa Narmada with deep devotion. Temples on both the banks of Kshipra were tastefully decorated. An attractive stage was set up right in the midst of Kshipra river.
Release of Narmada water into Kshipra was marked by heavy fireworks and mangal dhun by Police Band. Devotees at Ram Ghat and Datt Akhada welcomed Maa Narmada by clapping hands.
MP Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Urban Adminsitration & Development Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, former Chief Minister Shri Kailash Joshi, School Education Minister Shri Paras Jain, MP Shri Thanwarchand Gehlot and other public representatives worshipped the river. MP Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya, Minister of State for School Education Shri Deepak Joshi, Vice-Chairman of State Planning Commission Shri Babulal Jain, Shri Arvind Menon, Mayor Shri Rameshwar Akhand, MLA Dr. Mohan Rao, Shri Anil Firojiya, Shri Dilip Singh Shekhawat, Shri Bahadur Singh Chouhan, Shri Satish Malviya, Shri Mukesh Pandey and former MLA Shri Shiv Narayan Jagirdar were also present on the occasion.
