New Delhi: Terming Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's proposal to link all majors rivers of India as "ambitious", Karnataka on December 21 said if implemented, such a plan could go a long way in mitigating inter-state disputes.

"I agree that such a proposal could go a long way in resolving inter-state disputes on water sharing," Chief Minister S M Krishna told reporters in New Delhi.

He said while forging a Ganga-Cauvery linkage could have logistical problems, linking of peninsular rivers would be a more practical option to begin with.

Emphasising that a consensus was necessary among states, Krishna said the National Development Council (NDC) should have secured an in-principle approval for linking rivers to be made an integral part of the 10th Five Year Plan with spill over in the 11th Plan.

Drought-affected Orissa, however, was more cautious, saying the issue would have to be examined in detail.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said such a proposal was welcome, particularly since the state has only 30 per cent of its land under cultivation.

"We will have to see the extent to which states like Maharashtra can benefit from linking rivers," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was of the view that only surplus water, if any, should be shared.

In his address to the NDC meeting, Vajpayee said he wanted states to respond quickly to a proposal to connect major rivers in the country.

PTI