Pune: Stating that there is no opposition to the national river-linking project from any quarters, chairman of the National River-linking Task Force Suresh Prabhu has said that the work on the project will commence by 2004.

"The feasibility report is nearing completion. Also the Chief Ministers of several states and all major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Shiv Sena and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), have given green signal for the project," Prabhu told reporters on the sidelines of a book release function on February 13.

Claiming that the project will be environment-friendly, Prabhu said the task force will use satellite imagery before finalising the proposed river links.

The project will take at least 15 years, he said and added money will not be a problem.

The government would raise the required money through loans, taxes and user charges, Prabhu added.

PTI