Jaipur, May 29 -- The construction of the 2.3-kilometre-long and 40-metre-wide aqueduct is set to begin over the Chambal river, carrying water from the Ramgarh, Mahlpur, and Navnera barrages to the Mej Barrage, with further lifting to the Bisalpur and Isarda dams, officials familiar with the matter, adding that the state government has finally received the final clearance for the structure. This was one of the most critical components of the ambitious Rs.9,400-crore revised Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project (Ram Jal Setu Link Project also known as Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project). Cleared by the Chief Wildlife Warden following approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) on Tuesday night, the aqueduct will stretch from Peepaldasmael in Kota to Guhata in Bundi. In addition to transferring water, it will also double up as an access road, enhancing connectivity in the region. The first phase of the project aims to boost drinking water and irrigation supply to 17 districts across Rajasthan, said a senior official of water resource department. An aqueduct is a structure built to transport water from one place to another, usually across a valley, river, or other natural obstacle. The official said that this will provide an additional paved road route for the residents of Sultanpur tehsil in Kota, connecting them to the Kota-Sawai Madhopur highway passing through Bundi. Additionally, the project will accelerate the construction of a feeder channel from the Navnera Barrage to the Mej Anicut. "An aqueduct will be approximately 2.3 kilometres long and 40 metre wide. It will be constructed over the Chambal river at a cost of Rs.2,330 crore to carry water across the river. Through this aqueduct, water will be lifted from the Kalisindh River and released into the Mej River. Additionally, construction of a feeder from the Navnera Barrage to the Mej Anicut will also commence soon. For this purpose, the land acquisition award for the required 328 hectares will be issued shortly, and compensation will be provided to affected individuals in accordance with the rules," said the official. The official further said that the process of diversion of 24.05 hectares of forest land is in its final stage. "The executing agency has already set up a camp at the construction site. Work on establishing the casting yard, batching plant, and other infrastructure related to the Chambal aqueduct has commenced. To ensure the robustness of the project, surveys and research have been completed, and the design and drawings have been finalised." The ERCP has been expanded into a comprehensive plan with the formulation of the revised PKC-ERCP Integrated Project, estimated at around Rs.90,000 crore. The state government initiated talks with Madhya Pradesh CM immediately after assuming office. Following mutual agreement, an MoU for the revised PKC plan was signed in January 2024. On December 17, a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement was exchanged between the governments....