Ken-Betwa River Linking project: PM Modi to lay foundation stone on Vajpayee's 100th birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several development projects, including the ambitious Ken-Betwa river linking project, in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, December 25.

During his visit, PM Modi will also release a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will lay the foundation stone for 1,153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings, which, according to the government, will play an important role in the practical conduct of work and responsibilities of Gram Panchayats, leading to good governance at the local level.

The prime minister will also inaugurate the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in Khandwa district.

"The project will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the Government's mission of net zero carbon emission by 2070. It will also help in water conservation by reducing water evaporation," a government release said.

Ken-Betwa River linking project

The Ken-Betwa Link Project was formalised through a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on March 22, 2021, between the chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and the Union Jal Shakti Minister, in the presence of PM Modi.

The country’s first interlinking of rivers initiative under the national perspective plan aims to provide irrigation, drinking water, and industrial water supply to districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, benefitting lakhs of farmer families and residents. The Ken-Betwa project is also being touted as the largest irrigation project in India to utilise an underground pressurised pipe irrigation system.

• The project, centred on the Ken River in Chhatarpur and Panna districts, includes a 77-meter high, 2.13-kilometer-long Daudhan Dam, two tunnels, and a 221-kilometre-long link canal transferring surplus Ken River water to the Betwa River.

• It will irrigate 8.11 lakh hectares in 10 Madhya Pradesh districts, including Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Datia, benefitting over 7 lakh farmer families.

• In Uttar Pradesh, the project is expected to irrigate 59,000 hectares and stabilise irrigation across an additional 1.92 lakh hectares, aiding districts such as Mahoba, Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Banda.

• It will also provide drinking water to 44 lakh people in Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh in Uttar Pradesh. The project will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy.

• The project includes the restoration of 42 Chandela-era ponds in Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari districts to improve groundwater levels and rural water storage.

The wildlife in Panna Tiger Reserve is also expected to benefit as the Daudhan Reservoir will provide drinking water to animals throughout the year. With the construction of Daudhan Dam, the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh will get relief from the menace of floods.