Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially laid the foundation for the much-anticipated Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project. This landmark initiative was inaugurated on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Wednesday. The project aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna. While the project is being hailed as a significant step toward addressing water scarcity in the Bundelkhand region, it has sparked controversy, particularly with the opposition party, Congress, which has raised concerns about its impact on the Panna Tiger Reserve.
On December 25, Prime Minister Modi formally inaugurated the Ken-Betwa river-linking project in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region. The controversial project, estimated to cost Rs 49,000 crore, is India's first river-linking initiative under the national river interlinking policy. It is intended to address drought and migration issues in the Bundelkhand region, spanning Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
What Is The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP)?
The Ken-Betwa project is part of India’s broader river-linking strategy and is expected to bring significant benefits to the water-starved Bundelkhand region, spanning parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The project involves constructing a 221 km-long canal, including a 2-km tunnel, to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River. It will directly benefit over 8 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 59,000 hectares in Uttar Pradesh, stabilising irrigation systems for nearly seven lakh farmers.
The project is set to provide irrigation for 10.62 lakh hectares of land annually, supply drinking water to around 62 lakh people, and generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power. With an estimated cost of Rs 49,000 crore, it is India's first river-linking project under the National River Interlinking Policy, which aims to address water scarcity and migration issues in Bundelkhand.
This is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking rivers, which was developed in 1980. The plan includes 16 projects under its peninsular component, including KBLP, and 14 links under the Himalayan rivers development plan. In December 2021, the Union Cabinet approved Rs 44,605 crore (at 2020-21 prices) for the project. A memorandum of agreement for the implementation of KBLP was signed between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on March 22, 2021.
The Ken-Betwa project will be executed in two phases. The first phase involves constructing the Daudhan Dam complex, along with tunnels, a link canal, and powerhouses. The second phase will focus on building additional infrastructure such as the Lower Orr Dam and Bina Complex Project.
The Daudhan Dam, which is 2,031 meters long, will submerge around 9,000 hectares of land, affecting 10 villages. Despite concerns about its environmental impact, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for this dam, which will play a critical role in regulating the flow of water for the project.
What Will It Complete?
The Jal Shakti Ministry has proposed that the KBLP project be completed in eight years.
How Did The Project Start?
The idea of linking the Ken and Betwa rivers gained momentum in August 2005, when a tripartite memorandum of understanding was signed between the Centre and the two states to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). In 2008, the Centre declared KBLP a National Project, and it was later included in the Prime Minister’s package for the development of the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
In April 2009, it was decided to prepare the DPR in two phases. By 2018, a comprehensive DPR, covering Phase-I, II, and additional areas proposed by Madhya Pradesh, was prepared and submitted to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and the Central Water Commission.
Which Regions Will Benefit?
The Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project will primarily benefit the water-scarce Bundelkhand region, which spans 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The project is expected to significantly aid the districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri, and Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi, and Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh. According to the Jal Shakti Ministry, the project will help overcome water scarcity and pave the way for further river interlinking initiatives to promote national development.
Environmental And Social Concerns
The Ken-Betwa project has faced criticism for its potential environmental impact. It will involve deforestation in the Panna National Park and Tiger Reserve, which is home to a number of endangered species. The construction of the Daudhan Dam inside the core area of the reserve has raised concerns about disrupting the tiger reintroduction efforts that began in 2009.
The project has also drawn criticism from environmentalists who argue that the hydrological data for the Ken River’s water surplus should be made available for thorough review. Additionally, a study by IIT-Bombay has suggested that river-linking projects could lead to a significant reduction in rainfall in the region, potentially affecting local ecosystems.
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has questioned the project's economic viability and recommended exploring other irrigation alternatives. Moreover, the dam’s construction is expected to displace over 6,000 families, leading to protests over inadequate compensation and relocation benefits, particularly in Panna district.
Despite the controversy, the Ken-Betwa project holds significant promise for the Bundelkhand region, which has long struggled with water scarcity. By linking the Ken and Betwa rivers, the project is expected to alleviate drought conditions, reduce migration, and improve agricultural productivity.
This initiative is part of India’s National Perspective Plan, which envisions a network of river-linking projects to ensure better water distribution across the country. The successful completion of the Ken-Betwa project could pave the way for other similar projects in the future, ultimately contributing to the country’s long-term water security.
While the Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project promises to transform the Bundelkhand region by addressing water shortages and boosting agricultural productivity, it also raises important environmental and social concerns. The controversy surrounding the project underscores the need for careful planning and balancing development with environmental protection. As the project moves forward, its impact on both the region’s communities and its ecosystems will need continuous monitoring to ensure its success in the long term.
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