Abandons "lost river" project

It  was way back in 2006 that ONGC, amidst mantra chanting and burning incense that it had launched the extremely ambitious ‘ Saraswati Project’ . Known as the mythical river, many question its very existence. But NASA has satellite images which showed that a massive river did flow  down from the Himalayas. Some say that it was fourteen consecutive years of drought while some say, it was a massive earthquake which literally drained the river into the earth. Yet, the river exists and does pour into the earth is evident when one visits the last Indian village on northern side – Mana in Uttarakhand where the river, with all its savage force just gushes out near a place known as ‘Bheem pool’. Hindu religious texts, such as Rig Veda, mention the Saraswati and it is said to have extended over 1600 kilometers.

And it was gratifying to know that ONGC had undertaken the task of finding this lost river. Its aim was to chalk its route and try and solve water problems for Jaisalmar, Barmer and Bikaner districts. The river is said to have originated in the Thar desert and disappeared into present day Pakistan. The project found water that was less saline than elsewhere in the region, flowing at a speed of 76,000 liters per hour, a force unusual in the area. At several locations in Haryana, including Kalayat and Adi Badri, geologists working independently of ONGC, have found evidence to indicate that the Saraswati flowed there.

But sadly, ONGC seems to have abandoned the project as work has been at a standstill since 2010. People involved with the project say that progress has now stalled, hampered by changes in leadership and a lack of continuity in the team involved. If only ONGC continues with this project, it would not only solve water shortage problems but India will be blessed with another sacred river. Hope some private sector companies join hands and trace the route of this mysterious but fascinating over 4000 years old river.