Puducherry: Contemporary issues on water resources management, including inter-linking of rivers, would come up for discussions at the three-day National Water Convention beginning here tomorrow.

Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz would preside over the inaugural session of the convention, which will be declared open by Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy.

Around 300 delegates from the country and experts from some foreign organisations would participate in the 12th edition of the convention here, Chief Engineer of Public Works Department, C Anandane, told reporters here today.

The convention is being organised by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).

Anandane said that one of the the main thrusts would be making out a strong case for inter-linking Godawari, Krishna, Palar and Cauvery rivers to help all riparian states.

NWDA director Anil Kumar Sharda said that it was upto the respective state governments to arrive at a consensus for inter-linking the rivers. The process has already started with positive response from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

"The ball is ultimately in the state governments court as a broad-based consensus is absolutely necessary".

He said that the convention was aimed at discussing the participation of people in water resources development and management, inter-basin transfer of water and preservation of quality of water.

The convention would come out with recommendations which would be circulated to all states for follow up action.

Source : PTI