Union Cabinet Approves Ken-Betwa River Linking Project With Rs 39,000 Crore, To Benefit Drought Prone Areas Of MP And UP

The union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (8 December) approved the funding and implementation of Ken - Betwa inter-linking of rivers project.

The total cost of the Ken - Betwa link project has been assessed at Rs 44,605 crore at 2020-21 price levels. The union cabinet has approved central support of Rs 39,317 crore for the Project, covering a grant of Rs 36,290 crore and a loan of Rs 3,027 crore.

“The project will pave the way for more interlinking of river projects in India and also showcase to the world our ingenuity and vision,” the union government said.

This Project involves the transfer of water from the Ken to the Betwa River through the construction of the Daudhan dam and a canal linking the two rivers, the Lower Orr project, Kotha barrage and Bina complex multipurpose project.

The Project will provide annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh hectares, drinking water supply to a population of about 62 lakhs, and generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW solar power. The Project is proposed to be implemented in eight years.

The Project is expected to boost socio-economic prosperity in the backward Bundelkhand region due to increased agricultural activities and employment generation. It would also help in arresting distress migration from this region.

This Project also comprehensively provides for environment management and safeguards. For this purpose, a comprehensive landscape management plan is under finalization by the Wildlife Institute of India.

The Union Minister of Jal Shakti and the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in March 2021 signed the agreement to implement the first major centrally driven river interlinking project.

“This agreement heralds the beginning of inter- state cooperation to implement the vision of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee to carry water from areas that have surpluses to drought prone and water deficit areas, through the interlinking of rivers,” the ministry of Jal Shakti said.