KEN BETWA RIVER LINKING PROJECT
- On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP) on the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India.
- While the project has been hailed by some for its potential benefits, it has also faced criticism, especially concerning its impact on the Panna Tiger Reserve and the environment.
The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project involves transferring water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both of which are tributaries of the Yamuna River. A 221 km long canal will be constructed, including a 2 km tunnel.
BENEFITS OF THE LINKAGE
- Irrigation: The project is expected to provide irrigation for 10.62 lakh hectares of land (8.11 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2.51 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh).
- Drinking Water: It will provide drinking water to 62 lakh people.
- Power Generation: The project will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.
This is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for linking rivers, which was proposed in 1980. The plan includes 16 projects under the peninsular component and 14 links under the Himalayan rivers development plan.
PHASES OF THE PROJECT
The project will be carried out in two phases:
- Phase-I:
- Construction of the Daudhan Dam complex, including tunnels, canals, and power stations.
- The Daudhan Dam will be 2,031 meters long (with 1,233 meters earthen and 798 meters concrete) and 77 meters high.
- The dam will submerge around 9,000 hectares of land, affecting 10 villages in Madhya Pradesh.
- Phase-II:
- Will involve the construction of the Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex, and Kotha Barrage.
The project was approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2021 with a cost of Rs 44,605 crore. PM Modi laid the foundation for the Daudhan Dam on December 25, 2023.
Completion Timeline
The project is expected to be completed in eight years, according to the Jal Shakti Ministry.
Agreement for the Project
On March 22, 2021, the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to implement the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
How Was the Project Conceptualized?
- The idea of linking the Ken River with the Betwa River gained attention in August 2005 when a tripartite MoU was signed among the Centre and the two states.
- It was declared a National Project in 2008 and included as part of the Prime Minister’s development package for the Bundelkhand region, which faces frequent droughts.
- A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was completed in 2018, which included both phases of the project and additional areas proposed by Madhya Pradesh.
REGIONS BENEFITTING FROM THE PROJECT
The project will mainly benefit the Bundelkhand region, which spans 13 districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Some of the key districts that will benefit from the project are:
- Madhya Pradesh: Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri, and Raisin.
- Uttar Pradesh: Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi, and Lalitpur.
These areas will get more water for farming and drinking purposes, helping to address the water scarcity issues.
ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL CONCERNS
Despite the potential benefits, the Ken-Betwa Project has raised several environmental and social concerns:
- Deforestation: The project will require cutting down many trees in the Panna National Park and Tiger Reserve. This could harm the environment and wildlife living there.
- Impact on Tigers: One of the most controversial aspects is that the project may undo the successful tiger reintroduction program in the Panna Reserve.
- The construction of the Daudhan Dam could harm tiger habitats, which were restored after the species was locally extinct in the area in 2009.
- Effect on Wildlife: The project could also harm other species, including the Gharial (a type of crocodile) in the Ken Gharial Sanctuary and vultures that nest in the area.
- Displacement: The Daudhan Dam will submerge around 9,000 hectares of land, which will displace over 6,600 families from Chhatarpur and Panna Locals have raised concerns about low compensation and inadequate benefits from the project.
- Hydrological Concerns: Some scientists, including those from IIT Bombay, have warned that moving large amounts of water in river-linking projects could affect rainfall patterns and lead to lower rainfall (up to 12% less) in some months, especially September.
- Legal Scrutiny: The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has questioned the project’s economic viability and suggested that alternative irrigation options should be considered before proceeding.
- The CEC also expressed concerns about the impact on tigers and wildlife and the lack of proper environmental reviews before building a dam in a national park.
CONCLUSION
The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project holds promise for improving water availability, irrigation, and power supply in the Bundelkhand region. However, its potential environmental and social impacts, especially on the Panna Tiger Reserve, have raised serious concerns. Balancing the project’s benefits with protecting the environment and the rights of affected communities will be crucial for its success.
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