New Delhi: Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati on Thursday emphasised the need to ensure that the ecological flow of river is not hampered by construction of dams.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion of Central Board of Irrigation and Power awards ceremony here, she said that new technologies and design should be studied before constructing the super structures to ensure that while river flow is maintained, dams are able to give out electricity and other facilities to people.
"Dams have a short life, while rivers are eternal...Water is the basic necessity for the life to thrive on the planet. But, unfortunately we have insulted water," she said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Bharati said that there is no development without the free flow of rivers.
Pointing out that the hampered flow of River Ganga has affected the industry and agriculture, she said that uninterrupted and clean flow of river, besides development are not rivals to each other but go hand-in-hand.
Earlier, Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat, Central Water Commission Chairman A B Pandey and few others also spoke on the occasion.
