KEN-BETWA LINK PROJECT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Recently, the 5th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Ken Betwa Link Project Authority was conducted at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

Ken-Betwa Link Project

• About: It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking of rivers. 
• It envisages transferring water from the Ken River to the Betwa river, both tributaries of the Yamuna. 
• Length: will be 221 km long, including a 2-km long tunnel.
• Implementing Agency: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA).
• Benefits: The project lies in Bundelkhand, a drought-prone region, which spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It will provide water of irrigation, drinking water, groundwater recharge etc.

Ken and Betwa River

• Ken River: Originated in Katni district, Madhya Pradesh. 

oMerged with: Yamuna in Banda district in Uttar Pradesh. 

oPasses through: Panna tiger reserve.

• Betwa River: It rises in the Vindhya Range (Raisen) in Madhya Pradesh. 

oMerged with: Yamuna rivers is in Hamirpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

oMajor Dams on Betwa: Rajghat Dam, Matatila Dam, Parichha Dam, Dhurwara Dam, Halali Dam.