Ken-Betwa River Linking Project

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On December 25, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP) in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. This is the launch of the first river linking project under India's National River Linking Policy.

About KBLP

• KBLP is a tripartite initiative between the Central Government, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments to transfer water from Ken River to Betwa River.
• Ken and Betwa are tributaries of Yamuna.
• Total cost: Estimated cost Rs 44,605 crore
• Time limit: approximately 8 years
• Background: On March 22, 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and the Union Jal Shakti Minister in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and the collaboration was formalized for implementation.
  • The project is in line with the vision of late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who recommended river-linking as a solution to India's water shortage problem.

Infrastructure Development under the Project.

• Daudhan Dam: Daudhan Dam will be constructed on Ken River in Panna Tiger Reserve, which will be 77 m high and 2.13 km long. 
• Water Storage: The dam will have a storage capacity of 2,853 million cubic metres of water.
• Link Canal: A 221 km long canal will connect Daudhan Dam to Betwa River, facilitating transfer of surplus water for irrigation and drinking water purposes.
• Tunnel: The project also involves construction of two tunnels (1.9 km at upper level and 1.1 km at lower level) to facilitate water transfer between the two rivers.

Beneficiaries

• Madhya Pradesh: The project will provide drinking water to around 44 lakh people in 10 districts.
• Uttar Pradesh: Around 21 lakh people in the state will be benefited.

Impact on agriculture and farmers

• The project is expected to benefit 7.18 lakh farmer families in 2,000 villages in both the states.
• Madhya Pradesh: The project will irrigate 8.11 lakh hectares of land in 10 districts including Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Sagar, Raisen, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Datia.
• Uttar Pradesh: The project will also irrigate 2.51 lakh hectares of land, improving water availability in Mahoba, Jhansi, Lalitpur and Banda districts.

Drinking Water and Industrial Supply

• The project will provide reliable drinking water to the communities in the affected areas, thereby addressing the chronic problem of water scarcity in the Bundelkhand region.
• There will also be adequate water available for industrial use, which is crucial for economic development in the region.

Environmental and Social Concerns

• Impact on Panna Tiger Reserve: Daudhan Dam is located in the core of Panna Tiger Reserve and its construction will submerge about 98 sq. km of the reserve, which is crucial for wildlife conservation.
  • Experts have raised concerns about potential threats to the tiger population, which previously faced local extinction in 2009.
• Wildlife Concerns: The construction of Daudhan Dam may negatively impact species such as gharials in the Ken Gharial Sanctuary and vulture nesting sites downstream.
• Deforestation: The project also involves felling of about 2-3 million trees, which is one of the most controversial aspects as it may affect the biodiversity of the region.
• Displacement: 5,228 families in Chhatarpur district and 1,400 families in Panna district will be affected due to land submergence and land acquisition related to the project.
• Hydrological data and feasibility study: Concerns have been raised about the hydrological data for surplus water from the Ken River. Experts, including scientists from IIT-Bombay, have warned that transferring large quantities of water could affect the terrestrial-atmosphere interaction of the region, potentially reducing rainfall by up to 12% during the month of September.

Environmental Benefits

• Panna Tiger Reserve: Daudhan reservoir will play a vital role in water conservation for the Panna Tiger Reserve, ensuring that wildlife in the region has access to drinking water throughout the year.
  • It is expected to significantly improve the forest ecosystem.
• Chandela Heritage Ponds: The project involves efforts to conserve Chandela heritage ponds in districts like Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari.
  • These medieval ponds will be restored to help store water during the rainy season, benefiting local agriculture and water availability.
• Power Generation: The project also involves generation of 103 MW hydropower and 27 MW solar power, which will contribute to renewable energy capacity and help meet the energy demands of the region.

Social and Economic Impact

• Solution to Water Crisis: The Ken-Betwa Project aims to mitigate water scarcity, thereby ensuring long-term water security in the region.
• Migration: Along with improved water availability, the project aims to reduce migration for employment, enhance local livelihoods and sustainability.
• Flood Control in Banda: The project will help mitigate flooding in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh.

Economic Development

• Boost to Industrial Development: The project is expected to boost the local economy by supporting agricultural and industrial development.
• Boost to Tourism: The project supports the development of tourism, especially in the Bundelkhand region which has many cultural and historical sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Khajuraho.
• Employment Opportunities: The construction and ongoing operation of the project will create new employment opportunities for local people, especially in rural areas.

Conclusion

• The Ken-Betwa River linking project has immense potential to alleviate the water crisis in the Bundelkhand region by providing irrigation, drinking water and energy. However, it faces significant environmental challenges, especially with regard to the Panna Tiger Reserve and local wildlife, as well as displacement of communities. Balancing these concerns with the benefits of the project will be critical to its successful implementation.