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Inter-link rivers to stop floods, says Vajpayee

By Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna
July 25, 2004 20:52 IST

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Sunday made an aerial survey of the flood affected north Bihar districts.

Vajpayee after ariving in Patna from New Delhi immediately left for aerial survey by helicopter.

After the survey, Vajpayee criticised the state government for its failure to provide adequate relief to the flood affected people.

He said the way to stop the frequent floods in Bihar and the northeast region is by inter-linking rivers and by signing a treaty with neighbouring Nepal for 'optimum utilisation of water' .

Referring to the Bihar government's demand for construction of dams in Nepal he said, "Mere construction of dams will not work. What we need is to have a treaty (with Nepal) for optimum use of water."

Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, however, termed Vajpayee's visit as as political stunt . "Why he has he visited only this year? Why did he not visit during the last five years when he was the prime minister?" she asked.

 

Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna

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