Ken-Betwa Link Project

• 27 Dec 2024

For Prelims: Ken-Betwa Link Project, National Perspective Plan , Floating Solar Energy Project, Ken River, Betwa River, Panna Tiger Reserve 

For Mains: National Perspective Plan for Interlinking Rivers, River-linking in addressing drought and migration, Water management 

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.  

• This Rs 45,000 crore initiative, part of the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking rivers, aims to resolve water scarcity in Bundelkhand.

Note: Alongside the KBLP, PM laid the foundation stone for the Daudhan Dam irrigation project, which will serve 11 lakh hectares of land in the region. 

• The PM also inaugurated Madhya Pradesh’s first floating solar energy project at Omkareshwar, marking a significant step toward renewable energy adoption. 

What are the Key Facts About Ken-Betwa Link Project?

• About: The KBLP is India’s first initiative under the NPP, formulated in 1980 for river interlinking, implemented by Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority. 
  • It aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh, both of which are tributaries of the Yamuna. 
• Phases of the Project: 
  • Phase I: Construction of the Daudhan Dam complex, low-level and high-level tunnels, Ken-Betwa link canal, and powerhouses. 
  • Phase II: Development of the Lower Orr Dam located across the Orr River (a tributary of the Betwa), Bina Complex Project, and Kotha Barrage. 
• Benefits: 
  • Irrigation for 6.3 lakh hectares annually. 
  • Drinking water supply for 62 lakh people. 
  • The project includes provisions for hydropower generation (100 Megawatt (MW)) and solar energy (27 MW). 
• Importance for Bundelkhand: Bundelkhand is a geographical region, which spans 13 districts in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. 
  • Bundelkhand has long faced droughts and water shortages, forcing migration for employment. 
  • The KBLP enhances drinking water access, boosts agriculture with reliable irrigation, and fosters regional development, reducing migration pressures. 
• Environmental Concerns Raised by Critics:  
  • The opposition has voiced concerns over the project’s environmental impact, particularly on the Panna Tiger Reserve, which could see over 10% of its core area submerged.  
  • Critics argue that the project could cause significant loss of wildlife habitats, including those of tigers, vultures, and other species.  
    • Over 23 lakh trees are expected to be felled, and construction activities could severely disrupt the local ecosystem.  
• Government Response: Assured that the project construction would consider the preservation of the Panna Tiger Reserve’s wildlife and that measures would be implemented to mitigate the project's adverse effects on the local ecosystem, balancing development and conservation.

Key Facts About Ken and Betwa Rivers  

• Ken River: The Ken River originates near Ahirgawan village on the north-west slopes of the Kaimur hills in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. 
  • The river merges with the Yamuna at Chilla village near Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Ken River is  known for the rare Sajhar stone. Its major tributaries include Bawas, Dewar, Kaith, Baink, Kopra, and Bearma. 
• Betwa River:  Betwa, originates in the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh,  flows through Bundelkhand, and meets the Yamuna at Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh. 
  • The major tributaries of Betwa are Newan, Orr and Dhasan. In ancient times, the Betwa was known as Vetrawati.

Origin of River-Linking Projects in India 

• Sir Arthur Cotton (19th Century): The idea of linking rivers was first proposed by Sir Arthur Cotton, a British engineer, to connect the Ganga and Cauvery for navigation and irrigation.  
  • The Periyar Project, constructed in 1895, is a major irrigation project that diverts water from the Periyar River basin in Kerala to the Vaigai River basin in Tamil Nadu 
• National Water Grid: Dr. K.L. Rao, the then Union Irrigation Minister, proposed the construction of a National Water Grid in the 1970s. 
  • It aims to transfer water from water-surplus regions to water-deficit areas. 
• Garland Canal: Captain Dinshaw J Dastoor proposed a Garland Canal to redistribute the water from one area to another.  
• National Perspective Plan (1980): Prepared in 1980, aimed at inter-basin water transfer. 
  • In 1982, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) was established to conduct water balance and feasibility studies for the linking of rivers. 

What is the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Interlinking Rivers? 

• About: Formulated in 1980 by the Ministry of Irrigation (now Ministry of Jal Shakti), the NPP aims to develop water resources through the inter-basin transfer of water. 
  • The NWDA has been entrusted with the work of Interlinking of Rivers under the NPP. 
• Components:  The plan has two main components: the Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers Development. 
  • 30 link projects: 16 under the Peninsular Component, 14 under the Himalayan Component. 
  • Peninsular Rivers Development Component: Focuses on linking rivers in southern and central India. Key projects include the Mahanadi-Godavari, Godavari-Krishna, and Ken-Betwa links. 
  • Himalayan Rivers Development Component: Aims to divert surplus water from eastern tributaries of the Ganga and Brahmaputra to the western regions. Notable projects include the Kosi-Ghaghra and Gandak-Ganga links. 
• Significance: Addresses water shortages in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. 
  • Improves irrigation, boosts agricultural productivity, and enhances food security. 
  • Promotes inland waterways for freight movement, and utilizes surface water to alleviate groundwater depletion and reduce freshwater flowing into the sea. 

Drishti Mains Question:

Evaluate the National Perspective Plan for river interlinking in India and its implications for sustainable water management?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Q. The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020)