Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nainar Nagenthran on Saturday, 30 May renewed his party's demand for the swift execution of river-linking projects across India, asserting that interconnecting major river systems is no longer optional but essential to resolving the country's deepening water crisis.

Key Demands and the National Case

Nagenthran specifically highlighted the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project — a flagship initiative to channel surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the drought-prone Betwa basin in Uttar Pradesh — as a model for inter-state cooperation on water resources. He described it as proof that states can collaborate to optimise water distribution and address chronic shortages.

'The interlinking of rivers is no longer merely an option but a necessity for the country's future. Every state, including Tamil Nadu, should extend wholehearted support to such projects in the larger national interest,' Nagenthran said.

Modi Government's Role and Gujarat Precedent

The BJP leader credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with consistently advocating for balanced and efficient water utilisation across India. He pointed to Modi's tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, where the expansion of the Narmada river water distribution network reportedly transformed drought-affected regions and improved agricultural livelihoods — citing it as a scalable blueprint for the rest of the country.

Nagenthran also traced the national river-linking vision to the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, recalling that the original proposal envisaged connecting major systems including the Mahanadi, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery, Vaigai, and Tamirabarani rivers, as well as linking the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins for more equitable national distribution.

Legal Hurdles and Judicial Support

Referring to decades of litigation and policy debate that have stalled such projects, Nagenthran noted that the prolonged legal process had eventually yielded judicial backing for advancing river-linking initiatives. He said the Modi government had since taken steps to push projects aimed at improving water availability for agriculture, industry, and domestic consumption.

Tamil Nadu's Water Vulnerability

Nagenthran underscored Tamil Nadu's particular exposure to water insecurity, noting that the state depends heavily on rivers that originate beyond its borders. He argued that long-term water security for the state — and the country — requires sustained investment in water-sharing infrastructure and deepened inter-state cooperation.

'River-linking projects must be treated as an urgent national priority. They hold the key to addressing recurring droughts, improving agricultural resilience and securing water resources for future generations,' he added. With water stress projected to intensify across peninsular India, the political pressure on both the Centre and state governments to accelerate such projects is likely to grow.