On the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP), the Daudhan Dam, and the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
About Ken-Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP)
- KBLP is India’s first interlinking of rivers project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP).
- The project involves transferring water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna.
- A memorandum of agreement was signed on March 22, 2021, between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to implement this project.
Key features of the project:
- Ken-Betwa Link Canal: A 221-km canal, including a 2-km tunnel.
- Phases:
- Phase-I: Construction of the Daudhan Dam complex, Low Level and High Level Tunnels, Ken-Betwa Link Canal, and powerhouses.
- Phase-II: Includes the Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project, and Kotha Barrage.
Benefits:
- Irrigation facilities for districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, benefitting lakhs of farmer families.
- Drinking water supply for the region.
- Green energy generation with over 100 MW of hydropower.
- Employment opportunities and rural economic development.
Criticism: The project has faced criticism for its environmental impact, particularly deforestation within the Panna National Park and Tiger Reserve.
Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project: Located in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, the 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project is part of India’s largest floating solar park. It marks a significant step in the floating solar power sector, being one of the largest such projects in Central and North India.
National Perspective Plan (NPP)
The NPP for interlinking rivers was introduced in 1980 and includes 30 proposed projects:
- Peninsular Component: 16 projects, including KBLP.
- Himalayan Rivers Development Plan: 14 proposed links.
