Farmers in Madhya Pradesh Celebrate the Launch of the Ken-Betwa Link Project
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Bhopal, Dec 25 (NationPress) In celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the commencement and foundation of numerous development initiatives in Madhya Pradesh, prominently featuring the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
While addressing the audience, PM Modi emphasized that the realization of the Ken-Betwa Link Project would pave the way for new opportunities for prosperity and joy in the Bundelkhand area, positively impacting other districts in Uttar Pradesh such as Banda, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Jhansi.
Several farmers from the Bundelkhand region shared their enthusiasm and hope for a brighter future due to this significant river-interlinking initiative during an interview with IANS.
“This initiative will ensure that the general populace has access to sufficient water, thereby improving their economic status. Additionally, crop yields are expected to rise,” expressed farmer Vinod Kumar Lodhi.
Another farmer, Vinod Kumar, remarked, “This project is set to benefit farmers across eight districts throughout the Bundelkhand region.”
Ram Gopal Gupta, reflecting on his experiences, stated, “I have faced persistent water issues, but with this initiative, I anticipate a boost in crop production and an enhancement in our livelihoods.”
He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for endorsing the project.
Part of an ambitious river-linking strategy, the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is designed to channel water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, which are both tributaries of the Yamuna, through a 221-km canal that includes a 2-km tunnel. This initiative aims to irrigate approximately 11 lakh hectares of land.
Progress on lower and major projects under the Ken-Betwa Link National Project is advancing swiftly. The estimated cost for this project is ₹2,208 crore, with 40% of the work already completed. The remaining tasks are expected to be finalized by 2026.
In the project's second phase, irrigation will be facilitated using the high-pressure (micro method) in 253 villages within Shivpuri and Datia districts. This scheme will irrigate an area of 1,10,400 hectares, benefiting around 53,790 families.
Moreover, the dam associated with the project will secure 6 million cubic meters of water for drinking purposes, which will supply clean drinking water to approximately 1,65,000 individuals from 33,000 families in 125 villages of Pichor tehsil.
