Jaipur, Dec 16 (IANS): With a view to tackle the water crisis in Rajasthan, the river linking project will be started soon and Yamuna water brought to Jhunjhunu, said state Public Health Engineering Minister Surendra Goyal on Friday.

Addressing a one-day workshop organised on water conservation, he said that the state government has already started working on a detailed feasibility report (DFR) on this project.

A DFR worth crores of rupees has been drawn where proposals on bringing Yamuna's water to Jhunjhunu have been made. The other projects discussed in DFR include bringing Chambal's water to Alwar, Brahmani's water to Bisalpur etc. Plans to link rivers from bringing water to East Rajasthan Canal have also been made.

Goyal also cited the Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Yojana, saying that more than 40,000 water conservation projects have been implemented in 5,000 villages to ensure water conservation. This has resulted in bringing 50 blocks under secured zones in terms of maintaining groundwater level.

The river linking project will be helpful in meeting with drinking water and irrigation requirements of the state.

Once operational, the project will ensure drinking water supply to several towns and thousands of villages of Rajasthan.