Ken-Betwa River linking project

Why in News?

Recently , Foundation for Ken-Betwa river-linking project has been laid.

• Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) - It involves transferring surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa river in Uttar Pradesh , both the river are tributaries of Yamuna.
• It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.

In 2021, a memorandum of agreement was signed among the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to implement the Ken-Betwa Link Project.

• States concerned – Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

• Phases- The project has two phases, with four components.
• Phase I -  It involves construction of  Daudhan Dam, Ken-Betwa Link Canal and power houses.
  • Ken-Betwa Link Canal – It will be 221 km in length, including a 2-km tunnel.
  • Daudhan dam irrigation project - The project involves building a 77-metre tall and a 2-km wide Dhaudhan dam.
  • It will be constructed inside the Penna Tiger Reserve.
• Phase-II – It consists of Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project and Kotha Barrage.
• Special Purpose Vehicle - An SPV called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) will be set up to implement the project.
• Time period - KBLP project is proposed to be implemented in eight years.
• Benefits - The project is expected to
  • Provide annual irrigation to 10.62 lakh hectares (8.11 lakh ha in MP and 2.51 lakh ha in UP) of land in Bundelkhand region.

Bundelkhand region spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

• • Supply drinking water to about 62 lakh people.
  • Generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.
• Issue - Submergence of around 98 sq. km of Panna national park.
• Felling of about two to three million trees.

Reference

The Indian Express | Ken Betwa Project