PM Modi Lays Foundation for India’s 1st Ken-Betwa River Linking Project in Madhya Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of the country’s first ambitious and multipurpose Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the country’s first Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project and performed Bhoomi Pujan of 1,153 Atal Gram Sushasan Bhawans. Mr Modi also released a stamp and coin in memory of late Vajpayee.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Modi said that for us good governance is not a one day event but it is the identity of BJP governments. Calling to compare BJP governments with governments of other parties, Shri Modi said that BJP governments have always worked hard day and night for good governance and dedication towards the people on every parameter.

Sharing memories of former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shri Modi said that Atal ji has always been our source of inspiration for good governance and good service. Addressing the water problems of the country, the Prime Minister said the past decade will be remembered in the history of India as an unprecedented decade of water security and water conservation. In the past, Congress governments were experts in making announcements, cutting ribbons, lighting lamps, getting pictures published in newspapers and their work was over there and people did not get the benefit of it.

Highlighting the cause of water controversies, Mr Modi said that today, even after seven decades, there is some dispute or the other between many states of the country regarding water. When Congress was in power from Panchayat to Parliament, these disputes could have been resolved easily. But Congress had bad intentions, so it never made any concrete efforts. When Atal ji’s government was formed in the country, he started working seriously to solve the challenges related to water, but as soon as Congress formed the government in 2004, Congress put all the efforts of Atal ji on hold.

Appreciating the role of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, he said that Dr Ambedkar’s vision and farsightedness have contributed significantly to strengthening India’s water resources, water management, and dam construction. Ambedkar Ji played a crucial role in the development of major river valley projects in India. His efforts are also behind the formation of the current Central Water Commission. However, the Congress party never paid heed to the country’s growing need for water conservation, and never did it recognise Baba Saheb’s efforts as a water conservationist.

Referring to the government’s efforts to promote tourism in the country, Mr Modi said that the central government is constantly making efforts to increase facilities for all tourists from the country and abroad, and to make it easier to travel here. We have made schemes like e-visa for foreign tourists. Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patel were also present at the event. The cost of the Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project is Rs 44 thousand 605 crores. 90 percent of the project expenditure will be borne by the Central Government and 10 percent by the respective State Governments. This project will provide irrigation facilities in more than 8 lakh hectares of area. More than 7 lakh farmer families of 2 thousand villages in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh will also be benefited.

Ken-Betwa Link National Project will also provide drinking water facilities to the 44 lakh population of 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh. This project will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.

This project will also provide irrigation facilities on more than 2.51 lakh hectares and drinking water facilities to 21 lakh population of Uttar Pradesh. Most importantly, it will improve the condition of groundwater level in drought-prone Bundelkhand region, promote industrialization, increase investment and tourism and provide employment opportunities.