Hubli (Karnataka): Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on February 14 cautioned the nation that the prices of petrol and gas would rise further if a war breaks out, obviously referring to the Iraq issue.

"Petrol prices have been rising. If there is a war in the world, petrol and gas prices will rise further," he said, without specifically mentioning the Iraq issue but obviously referring to it and its fallout.

"We have to save petrol", Vajpayee said at a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for the South Western Railway Zonal Headquarters office in Hubli.

In this context, he referred to the golden quadrilateral project to connect roads in the country and said government wanted to complete it "as early as possible", noting that it would result in a saving of Rs 8,000 crore on petrol annually.

"This is an era of connectivity and we have decided to take everybody together", he said. Vajpayee said despite political differences, the Centre had not shown bias against any state.

Noting that efforts were not being made to save the rain water, Vajpayee referred to efforts towards inter-linking of rivers in the country. "We have to utilise the river water. We will not allow water to go to the ocean".

Touching upon the Cauvery issue, he remarked, "there is no danger to Cauvery".

Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry had come to Delhi and "everybody is happy (about water sharing). Tamil Nadu is happy. Karnataka is happy", he said, apparently referring to the recent Cauvery River Authority meeting.

PTI