Saraswati river existed, efforts to be made to recharge it, says Uma Bharti

The expert taskforce has submitted its report saying that the Saraswati river did exist.

Listen to Story

Advertisement
Uma Bharti
Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti. Photo: PTI

In Short

  • The expert taskforce headed by former Kumaon University Vice-Chancellor KS Valdiya.
  • Union minister Uma Bharti said that efforts will be made to recharge the river.
  • Bharti said no one can challenge our experts as their expertise is known all over the world.

The Haryana government may have started the construction of a palaeo channel, digging of borewells and carbon-dating for retracing the mythical river Saraswati but now it has been proved that the river did exist.

Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharti today said that efforts will be made to recharge the river.

In an exclusive chat with India today in Bhopal, Barthi claimed the expert taskforce headed by former Kumaon University Vice-Chancellor KS Valdiya has submitted its report which confirms that the river did exist. "Now, we don't need a certificate from London or America. No one can challenge our experts as their expertise is known all over the world," Bharti said.

advertisement

Also read: Durga idols' immersion adds to pollution in Delhi, waste piled up along Yamuna river

ACUTE WATER CRISIS

"It was not just about the Saraswati river. In fact, the study was about all the rivers that have gone extinct and now they have confirmed about the Saraswati river. Many parts of the country, particularly from the north to the west, are facing an acute water crisis including parts of Haryana, the whole of Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat. Now, we are assessing the recommendations of the expert taskforce and will see how these rivers can be recharged. And this includes the river Tapti as well," Bharti said.

The budget of the ground water board has also been increased from Rs 60 crore to 6000 crores, Bharti claimed.

Also read: Haryana: CBI takes over case of caste-based agitation

Watch the video here