Ken – Betwa Interlinking of Rivers Project
In December 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the Ken – Betwa Interlinking of River Project. The project is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 44,605 crores.
What is Ken – Betwa Interlinking of Rivers Project?
- The Ken – Betwa Interlinking of Rivers project is to be implemented in the drought prone Bundelkhand region.
- The Ministry of Jal Shakti and the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have signed an agreement to implement the project.
- The project aims to transfer water from Ken river to Betwa river. Betwa and Ken are the tributaries of Yamuna.
Phases of the project
There are two phases in the project. They are as follows:
- Phase 1: Daudham Dam Complex, Ken – Betwa link canal, high level tunnel, low level tunnel and power houses
- Phase 2: Bina complex project, lower Orr dam and Kotha Barrage are to be constructed
Funding of the project
The cost of the project was assessed at 2020-21 price levels. The cabinet has approved Rs 39,317 crores. Of this, the Government of India is to contribute Rs 36,290 crores. The rest Rs 3,027 crores is to be obtained through a loan.
What are the benefits of the project?
- The project will provide drinking water supply to 62 lakh people.
- It will generate 103 MW of hydropower
- It will irrigate 10.62 lakh hectares of land
What are the related issues?
The project received huge criticisms. According to the environmentalist, the project will affect the Panna Tiger Reserve. The project will submerge 6,017 hectares of forest area that comes under the Daudhan dam. Of this, 4,206 hectares lies within Panna Tiger Reserve.
Clearances required for a river linking project
In India, a river linking project should get the following clearances:
- Techno – Economic clearance: This is provided by the Central Water Commission
- Forest Clearance and Environment Clearance: Provided by the Ministry of Environment
- Resettlement and Rehabilitation Plan of Tribal Population: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- Wild life clearance: Central Empowered Committee
