Ken-Betwa River Linking Project 

Context : On a historic occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River-Linking Project in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. This ambitious initiative aims to address water scarcity and enhance prosperity in the Bundelkhand region by transferring surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh.

Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP): An Overview

Objectives and Features

• Water Transfer: The project seeks to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna.
• Infrastructure:
  • A 221-km-long canal, including a 2-km tunnel.
  • A 73.8-meter-high dam on the Ken River at Daudhan, located in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district.

History of the Ken-Betwa Interlinking Project

• 1980s: Conceptualized as a solution for water scarcity, the project faced delays due to disagreements over water-sharing between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• 2015: Initial work was planned but stalled due to unresolved disputes.
• 2021: On March 22, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed among the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, marking a breakthrough.

Phases of the Project

1. Phase I:

   • Construction of the Daudhan Dam Complex.
   • Development of low-level and high-level tunnels, the Ken-Betwa Link Canal, and powerhouses.

2. Phase II:

   • Construction of the Lower Orr Dam, the Bina Complex Project, and the Kotha Barrage.

Implementation Timeline

• According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the project is expected to be completed in eight years.

Regions Benefiting from the Project

The Bundelkhand region, spanning 13 districts across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, will benefit significantly.

• Madhya Pradesh: Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri, and Raisen.
• Uttar Pradesh: Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi, and Lalitpur.

Key Goals

• Address water scarcity in this drought-prone region.
• Promote regional development and pave the way for future river interlinking projects.

Benefits of the Project

1. Irrigation:

   • 10.62 lakh hectares of annual irrigation:
     • 8.11 lakh ha in Madhya Pradesh.
     • 2.51 lakh ha in Uttar Pradesh.

2. Drinking Water Supply:

   • Provision for approximately 62 lakh people.

3. Power Generation:

   • 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.

Environmental and Social Concerns

Environmental Impacts

• Deforestation in Panna National Park:

  • Around 98 sq km of the park will be submerged, resulting in the loss of 2–3 million trees.

• Threat to Wildlife:

  • Tigers: The dam could undermine the success of the tiger reintroduction program in Panna National Park.
  • Gharials and Vultures: Potential disruption of gharial populations in the Ken Gharial Sanctuary and vulture nesting sites downstream.

• Hydrological Concerns:

  • Scientists from IIT-Bombay caution about a possible 12% reduction in September rainfall, disrupting local ecosystems.

Social Impacts

• Displacement:
  • 5,228 families in Chhatarpur district and 1,400 families in Panna district will face displacement.
• Inadequate Compensation:
  • Protests have erupted, particularly in Panna, over insufficient compensation and limited benefits for affected communities.

Controversies and Criticism

• Wildlife and Environmental Clearance:
  • The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) questioned the project’s wildlife clearance and economic viability.
• Violation of Precedents:
  • Despite established norms, the Union Environment Ministry approved construction within the core area of Panna Tiger Reserve.

Conclusion

The Ken-Betwa Link Project represents a monumental step in addressing water scarcity and fostering development in the Bundelkhand region. While it promises significant benefits in terms of irrigation, drinking water, and power generation, the project raises pressing environmental and social concerns. Striking a balance between development and conservation will be crucial to ensure the project's success and sustainability in the long term.