Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers project

Why in news?

• The Union Cabinet on 8^th December 2021 approved the funding and implementation of Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers project with a total cost of Rs 44,605 crore. The project has a deadline of eight years.

What is the Ken-Betwa Link Project?

• It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
• It envisages transferring water from the Ken river to the Betwa river, both tributaries of the Yamuna.
• The Ken-Betwa Link Canal will be 221 km long, including a 2-km long tunnel.
• In March 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 project.

Components:

• The project has two phases, with mainly four components.
  • Phase-I will involve one of the components :Daudhan Dam complex and its subsidiary units such as Low Level Tunnel, High Level Tunnel, Ken-Betwa Link Canal and power houses.
  • Phase-II will involve three components: Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project and Kotha Barrage.
• According to the Jal Shakti Ministry, the project is expected to provide annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh hectares, supply drinking water to about 62 lakh people, and generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project

• A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) will be set up to implement the project.
• In fact, the Centre has set in motion the process of creation of National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA), an independent autonomous body for planning, investigation, financing and implementation of the interlinking of river (ILR) projects in the country.
• The NIRA will have powers to set up SPV for individual link projects.

Which regions will benefit from it?

• The project lies in Bundelkhand, a drought-prone region, which spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Will the project affect the Panna Tiger Reserve?

• According to the National Water Development Agency under the Jal Shakti Ministry, the reservoir of Daudhan dam will involve a submergence of 9000 ha area, out of which 5803 ha comes under Panna Tiger Reserve. It is about 7.6% of the total Panna Tiger Reserve area.

What clearances are required for a river linking project?

• Various types of clearances are required, such as:
  • Techno-economic clearance (given by the Central Water Commission)
  • Forest clearance and environmental clearance (Ministry of Environment & Forests)
  • Resettlement and rehabilitation plan of tribal population (Ministry of Tribal Affairs)
  • Wildlife clearance (Central Empowered Committee).

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers project, consider the following statements:

1. It envisages transferring water from the Betwa river to the Ken river

2. The project lies in Bundelkhand region

3. It involves submergence of certain areas of Pench Tiger Reserve

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer