In a function organised in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh on 25 December 2024, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project , inaugurated Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project and performed the Bhoomi Pujan of over 1,100 Atal Gram Sushasan Bhawans.

The function was organised to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the 10th Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Prime Minister also released a stamp and coin in memory of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Since 2014 the central government has observed 25th December as the Good Governance Day.

Mangubhai Patel,Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Mohan Yadav Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patel were also present at the event.

About the Ken Betwa National River Linking Project

The Ken-Betwa national river interlinking project is the first of the 30 rivers to be interlinked under the central government’s ‘Interlinking of Rivers under the National Perspective Plan”.

The plan proposes to interlink 30 rivers -16 Peninsular and 14 Himalayan rivers ,so as to transfer the surplus water of a river to a water deficit river. It is expected to solve the problem of flooding, drought and provide assured drinking water and irrigation facilities,

Who is Implementing the Project ?

The project is being implemented by the National Water Development Agency under the Union Ministry of Jalshakti.

MoU between center and the state government on Ken -Betwa Project

The Central government and the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 22, 2021 for the implementation of Ken-Betwa link national Project.

To implement the project a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KALPA) has been set up.

Cost of the Project

The total cost of the project is Rs 44 thousand 605 crores ( at the 2020-21 price level) .
The cost of the project will be shared by the center and the states in a 90:10 ratio.
The central government will provide Rs.39,317 crore of which Rs 36,290 crore will be in the form of grant and Rs 3,027 crore as loan.
The rest of the amount will be contributed by the two states.

Phase of the project

The project seeks to transfer surplus water from Ken river to Betwa through the construction of Daudhan Dam and a canal linking the two rivers, the Lower Orr Project, Kotha Barrage -and Bina Complex Multipurpose Project.

It will generate 103 MW of hydel power and 27 MW of solar power.

The Project will be developed in two phases.

Under Phase-I

Daudhan Dam will be built along with the Ken-Betwa Link Canal.
The Daudhan dam will be a multipurpose project with a hydel power generating capacity of 103 MW.
It will be constructed on Ken river in the Panna Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh.

Phase-2

Lower Orr dam to be built on river Orr, a tributary of Betwa in the Didauni village, situated on the border of the Shivpuri and Ashok Nagar districts in Madhya Pradesh.
Kotha Barrage on Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh will be constructed.
Bina Complex Irrigation and Multipurpose Project will be built on Bina and Dhasan, both are tributaries of river Betwa and Dehra Nullah which is tributary of Bina river.
It comprises construction of four dams namely Madia reservoir, Dehra dam, Dhasan dam and Chakarpur dam in Sagar district.

Benefits to Madhya Pradesh

People of Panna, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Sagar, Damoh,Vidisha, Shivpuri, Datia, and Raisen districts benefit.
Irrigation facilities in more than 8 lakh hectares of area to benefit more than 7 lakh farmer families of 2 thousand villages in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh.
44 lakh population of 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh to get drinking water facility..

Benefits to Uttar Pradesh

Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi & Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh are to be the main beneficiaries.
2.51 lakh hectares to have Irrigation facilities 21 lakh population to have drinking water facilities.
It will improve the ground water level in drought prone Bundelkhand region.

About Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project

The 90 MW Omkareshwar floating solar project was commissioned by the SJVN Limited in August 2024. It was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on 25 December 2024.

The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project is built on River Narmada and is located in the Khandwa District of Madhya Pradesh.

The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project is in the largest floating solar park of India, the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park.