Union Cabinet approves Ken-Betwa Project ahead of clearances

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet approved funding and implementation of the Ken and Betwa rivers interlinking project on Wednesday, at the cost of Rs 44,605 crore, but experts have criticised the move as it was granted no statutory clearances, IANS reported.

The Union Cabinet released a statement post the meeting that it has approved the central support of Rs 39,317 crore for the project, covering Rs 36,290 crore grant and Rs 3,027 crore loan. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) would be set up to implement the project. The project covers the construction of the Daudhan dam to transfer water from the Ken to the Betwa river and a canal linking the two rivers. Also, the Lower Orr project, Kotha Barrage and Bina complex multipurpose project were involved and the entire project will provide annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh Ha, drinking water supply to 62 lakh people, generation of 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW solar power.

But, Himanshu Thakkar of South Asia Network for Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) questioned the approval asking how it could be done since environmental clearance was challenged and is pending at the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the stage II (final) Forest Clearance and subsequent state approval of Madhya Pradesh is also pending. The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee has submitted a report before the court with its objections to the wildlife clearance, and the court has not given its say yet, he added.

The Cabinet statement said the project would support districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri, and Raisen of Madhya Pradesh and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi, and Lalitpur of Uttar Pradesh. It aims to help agricultural activities and generate employment for the backward Bundelkhand region. It also provides for environment management and safeguards as a comprehensive management plan is tabled before Wildlife Institute of India, the statement added.

Meanwhile, unnamed sources in the ministry told IANS that the approval comes ahead of UP Assembly elections, that the ruling BJP could use the project approval for election campaigns. A tripartite agreement was made between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on March 22 for this first major centrally driven river interlinking project.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Jal Shakti is likely to announce the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA), restructuring the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), with powers envisaged. NIRA is to function as an autonomous body.