Lucknow, March 5 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh government has expedited work on a project for the revival of Chandrawal river in drought-hit Bundelkhand region.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced on Friday that, among other things done to tackle the drought situation in Bundelkhand, the government had also started work to revive the river.

Basic leg work on the project has already been set rolling and district officials in Mahoba were on the job, an official told IANS.

"A meeting of senior officials to interact with and involve village heads in the project has already taken place," the official further added.

Deputy Commissioner (Mnrega) said that an action plan was being made to ensure water conservation and revival of the river.

Under this plan, one metre ditches will be dug to slow down the water flow. This work of dredging has already been initiated in Chando and Nathupura villages.

Gram pradhans (village heads) of Singhanpur, Baghari, Surha, Mawai Khurd, Bannipura, Khanna, Gahra, Charkhari, Brijpura, Bagraun, Salua, Kamal Kheda -- all in the range of the river, have been contacted to help in this project.

According to history, King Parmar Deo, ruler of Chandela dynasty in Mahoba, freed his daughter Princess Chandrawati from Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan with the help of a small army, which camped on the banks of this river and later it was named after the princess.

The rain-fed river once originated in Mahoba and flowed nearly 70-km across Hamirpur and Banda districts to merge with the Ken river.