The Prime Minister noted that the challenge of the water crisis is increasing equally with India's development. Mr Modi also interacted with sarpanches and ward panches in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Prime Minister noted that apart from rain water harvesting, the management of river water in our country has also been discussed for decades. He said rapid development is not possible without water security and effective water management. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said the agreement is important to realise Atal ji's dream in the interest of millions of families of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. He lauded both the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for making this project a reality. Mr Modi said the Ken-Betwa Link Project is also part of this vision. On the occasion, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Yogi Adityanatah respectively, to implement the Ken Betwa Link Project, the first project of the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers, in the presence of Mr Modi. Launching the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan:Catch the Rain' campaign on World Water Day via video conferencing, Mr Modi said 'Jal Shapath', which is being organised all over the country should become everybody's pledge and second nature as 'when our nature changes with respect to water, nature will also support us.'

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India's development and self-reliance is dependent on water security and water connectivity, and urged all to take 'Jal Shapath' (water pledge).

Modi shapath