0
0
The joint cabinet on Wednesday approved the funding and implementation of the Ken-Betwa River Interconnection Project at a total cost of 44,605 crore. The duration of the project is eight years.
A cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a proposal with this effect. According to an official statement issued after the cabinet meeting, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) named Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) will be established to implement the project.
“Calculated at the price level in 2020-21, the total cost of the Ken-Betwa connection project is estimated to be 44,605 crore. The United Cabinet has approved the central support of 39,317 crore for the project, including a grant of 36,290 crore. And a loan of Rs 3,027 crore,” the statement said.
The statement said: “This project will pave the way for more interconnections of the Indus River project and show the world our ingenuity and vision.”
Under the Ken-Betwa connection project, water will be transferred from Ken to the Betwa River through the construction of the Daudhan Dam and the canal connecting the two rivers.
The statement said: “The project will provide 1.062 million hectares of irrigated area each year, provide drinking water for approximately 6.2 million people, and generate 103 megawatts of hydropower and 27 megawatts of solar energy.”
The statement stated that the project is planned to be implemented with “the most advanced technology” within 8 years.
“The project will be of great benefit to the water-scarce Bundelkhand region spreading across MP and UP states. The project will be Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, and Banda, Raisen in Uttar Pradesh. Areas such as Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur bring huge benefits,” the statement said.
“Due to increased agricultural activities and job creation, the project is expected to promote the socio-economic prosperity of the backward Bandar Khand region. It will also help deter immigrants from the region in distress,” it said.
“The project also provides comprehensive environmental management and protection. To this end, the Indian Wildlife Research Institute is finalizing a comprehensive landscape management plan,” it added.
Complete News Source : The Indian Express
