Foundation Stone Laid for ₹45000 Crore Ken-Betwa River-Linking Project

Sub : Geo

Sec: Indian Physical Geography

Why in News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the ₹45,000 crore Ken-Betwa River-Linking Project in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. This ambitious project aims to address the water scarcity in the Bundelkhand region and is a significant step in India’s interlinking of rivers initiative.

Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP):

The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is the River interlinking project that aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken river in MP to Betwa in UP to irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
The region spread across the districts of two states mainly Jhansi, Banda, Lalitpur and Mahoba districts of UP and Tikamgarh, Panna and Chhatarpur districts of MP.
The project involves building a 77-metre tall and a 2-km wide Dhaudhan dam and a 230-km canal.
Ken-Betwa is one of the 30 river interlinking projects conceived across the country.
The project has been delayed due to political and environmental issues.
It would submerge 58.03 sq. km (10.07%) of critical tiger habitats in the Panna Tiger Reserve and 50% loss to the habitat of a highly endangered vulture species.

Ken, Betwa and Orr Rivers:

Ken and Betwa rivers originate in MP and are the tributaries of Yamuna.
Ken meets with Yamuna in Banda district of UP and with Betwa in Hamirpur district of UP.
Orr river is a tributary of Betwa river.
Rajghat, Paricha and Matatila dams are over Betwa river.
Ken River passes through Panna tiger reserve.

Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal River-Linking Project:

Recently launched, this project also aims to interlink rivers between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
With the Ken-Betwa and Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal projects, Madhya Pradesh is the first state to simultaneously implement two river-linking projects.

Parbati River:

Arises from the Vindhya ranges near Madhya Pradesh. It is a tributary of the Chambal River, primarily serving irrigation in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Kalisindh River:

Emerges from the Vindhya ranges in Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh. It is known for the Kalisindh Thermal Power Project in Rajasthan.

Chambal River:

Rises from Janapav Hills in the Vindhya range, Madhya Pradesh. A major tributary of the Yamuna, it forms the Chambal Ravines and houses the National Chambal Sanctuary for gharials and dolphins.

Other Announcements and Projects Launched:

Floating Solar Energy Project: Inaugurated Madhya Pradesh’s first floating solar power plant in Omkareshwar.
Atal Gram Seva Sadans: Foundation stone laid for 1,153 Atal Gram Seva Sadans to enhance rural governance infrastructure.
Commemorative Stamp and Coin: Released to honor former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth centenary.