KATHMANDU, JAN 23 - Bangladesh today asked India not to move ahead with its river-linking project, reiterating that it would have long-term adverse impact on water resources use in Bangladesh. The project could have negative impact on Nepal too.
Hafijuddin Ahmed, Minister for Water Resources who addressed a talk programme organised by Jalsrot Vikas Sansthan in the capital today said the project would have adverse impact on his country’s economic, social and environmental sectors. "About 20 million Bangladeshis will be badly affected if India implements the river linking project," Ahmed said.
Ahmed added he had expressed formal opposition to the project during the recent Bangladesh-India joint river commission meeting held in New Delhi. He further said India was yet to reply on the issue. Ahmed also said the Indian position all along had been to maintain that the project was "preliminary proposal" only.
According to Nepal’s water resources experts, the river-linking project, if implemented, could adversely affect Nepal too. This could lead to seeking India’s permission if Nepal wanted to construct anything on the rivers on its side which flowed into India.Posted on: 2004-01-24 03:31

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