India, Sept. 22 -- The empowered committee on river valley projects under the ministry of environment, forest and climate change has approved the Nar-Par-Girna River Linking Project aimed at addressing water scarcity in north Maharashtra.

The project comprises three river links, nine dams, two sumps, pump houses, rising mains and tunnels, to be built at a cost of Rs.7,465.29 crore, according to data from the irrigation department. It will submerge 3,801.17 hectares (ha) of land, including 939.07 ha of forest land and 956.86 ha of private land that will be acquired by the state government, and displace around 2,580 people across nine villages. One village will be affected entirely while eight villages will be partially affected. The irrig...