About the Ken-Betwa Link Project
The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is India’s first major river-linking project, aimed at transferring water from the Ken River to the Betwa basin to address water scarcity. It was approved in 2021, with the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2024.
Geographical and Engineering Profile
- Rivers: Both Ken and Betwa originate in Madhya Pradesh and are tributaries of the Yamuna River; Ken merges with the Yamuna near Fatehpur (UP), Betwa at Hamirpur (UP).
- Transfer Volume: The project transfers 1,074 million cubic metres (MCM) of water annually from the Ken basin (assessed as surplus) to the Betwa basin (deficit).
- Daudhan Dam: A composite earthen-cum-concrete dam on the Ken River near Daudhan in Chhatarpur district, MP — 96.7 m high, 2,031 m long.
- Link Canal: A 216.465 km gravity-and-lift canal carrying water from Daudhan to Barua Sagar near Jhansi.
- Power Infrastructure: Two powerhouses generating 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.
- Phase II: Comprises the Lower Orr Dam, the Bina Complex Multipurpose Project, and the Kotha Barrage for regional distribution.
Socio-Economic Benefits
- Irrigation: Expected to provide annual irrigation to 10.62 lakh hectares across drought-prone Bundelkhand (13 districts of MP and UP).
- Cropping Intensity: Projected to rise from 105% to 140%, with productivity gains of 18% to 42%.
- Drinking Water: Assured supply for 62 lakh people.
- Allied Economy: Dairy and livestock economy projected to expand by 18% to 22%; groundwater recharge expected over 15% of the canal command area.
Ecological and Social Concerns
- Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR): The Daudhan reservoir will submerge 9,000 hectares, of which 5,803 hectares lie within PTR — over 10% of its core critical tiger habitat.
- Forest Loss: An estimated 23 lakh to 43 lakh trees to be cleared.
- Displacement: 1,913 head households (2,667 families) across 10 villages in Chhatarpur to be displaced; 48% belong to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
- Legal Scrutiny: In *Kamlesh Prajapati v. State of MP (2024)*, the Madhya Pradesh High Court held that displacement without full compliance with the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (free, prior, informed consent of Gram Sabhas) is invalid.
- R&R Package: Madhya Pradesh announced a ₹1,256.25 crore resettlement package (₹12.5 lakh per hectare, or equivalent house plot/cash).
Conclusion
The Ken-Betwa Link Project aims to improve irrigation and drinking-water availability in Bundelkhand, benefiting millions of people. However, its impact on forests, wildlife and displaced communities highlights the need to balance development with environmental and social justice.
| This concept has been elaborately discussed in the following article – Ken-Betwa Link Project: India’s First River-Interlinking Project |