NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav said that PM Narendra Modi will visit Khajuraho in Chhatarpur district on December 25 to lay the foundation of the Ken-Betwa river link project, which will change the destiny of the Bundelkhand region.
CM Yadav also highlighted that the Ken-Betwa link project was a unique example of cooperation and coordination between the Central Govt, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
PM Modi took the initiative to realise former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee's dream of the river linking campaign.
According to an official release, the chief minister said that the multipurpose and ambitious Ken-Betwa Link Project would change the face and destiny of the entire Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Through this project, farmers would get ample water for irrigation and will also get sufficient water for drinking and industrial uses. Along with the economic and social development of the area, tourism will also be promoted, and new employment opportunities will be created. The situation of groundwater in the drought-hit Bundelkhand region will also improve.
The CM said that the Ken-Betwa Link National Project is the largest irrigation project in the country adopting an underground pressurised pipe irrigation system. This project is being constructed on the Ken River in the Chhatarpur and Panna districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Under the project, a 77-metre high and 2.13-kilometre long Daudhan Dam and 2 tunnels (upper level 1.9 km and lower level 1.1 km) will be constructed on the Ken River in Panna Tiger Reserve, and 2,853 million cubic metres of water will be stored in the dam.
The surplus water of the Ken River will be transferred to the Betwa River through the 221 km long link canal from Daudhan Dam on the Ken River, providing irrigation and drinking water facilities in both states, stated the release.
Through a pressurised micro irrigation system from the project, an 8.11 lakh hectare area can be irrigated in 2 thousand villages of 10 districts, including Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Sagar, Raisen, Vidisha, Shivpuri, and Datia. About 7 lakh farmer families will benefit from the project, it added.
The project will provide drinking water to a 44 lakh population of Madhya Pradesh and a 21 lakh population of Uttar Pradesh. Besides, the project will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy. Madhya Pradesh will get its full benefit, it added.
The project also includes the work of saving the historical Chandela era heritage ponds. By repairing/renovating 42 ponds of the Chandel era in Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari districts of Madhya Pradesh, water can be stored during the rainy season, which will benefit the rural areas and increase the groundwater level.
The construction of the project will bring prosperity and happiness to the lives of farmers, along with increased crop production through advanced irrigation technology. Besides, the water crisis prevalent in the Bundelkhand region will end, and migration for employment will also be curbed, the release added.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.The TOI City Desk is an indefatigable team of journalists dedicat...
Read MoreThe TOI City Desk is an indefatigable team of journalists dedicated to bringing you the pulse of cities from across the nation, all day and all night. Our mission is to curate, report, and deliver city news that matters to readers of The Times of India. With a keen focus on urban life, governance, culture, and local issues, we provide a comprehensive view of the ever-evolving cityscapes. Our team works tirelessly to keep readers informed about the latest developments, ensuring that they are connected to the heartbeat of cities across India, right when it happens. The TOI City Desk is a trusted source for staying in touch with the local stories that shape your world.
Read Less