NEW DELHI/BHOPAL, 26 August 2005 — Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at New Delhi for the proposed Ken-Betwa rivers link project between the two states and the federal government in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
When connected the Ken and Betwa rivers would enhance irrigation and water supply in the two states.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and Federal Water Resources Minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi signed the agreement.
It has paved the way for preparation of Detailed Project Report, (DPR). The project, estimated to cost over Rs. 40,000 million, envisages diversion of surplus waters in Ken River basin to water deficit Betwa basin through construction of a Daudhan dam on Ken River and a 231-km long link canal.
Manmohan termed the signing agreement a historic occasion and said that it should be an example for other states. He said that this project would increase the irrigation facilities and power production in Bundelkhand area on the one hand solve the drinking water problem on the other.
He said that environment conservation should be taken care of while implementing the project.
Mulayam also described the agreement as a “historic step” for the benefit of the people in the two states. He said that it would be a role model for other states to resolve their river disputes.
According to an official spokesman Gaur said that this project will change the face of the backward area of both the states.
Once the surplus waters of the Ken basin are transferred to Betwa, it would enhance irrigation and water supply in Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Panna, Raisen and Vidisha districts of Madhya Pradesh and Hamirpur, Banda and Jhansi districts of UP.
Half a million hectare of land will be irrigated, also more power will be generated and drinking water will be made available.
Mulayam assured of all possible help in implementing the Project.
Dasmunshi said certain reservations of the UP government regarding the feasibility report of Ken-Betwa Link Project as prepared by National Water Development Authority “will definitely be addressed at the DPR stage”.
It may be mentioned here that Ken-Betwa link project assumes greater significance as it will be the first-ever river link project of the 30 river link projects proposed by the Government of India.
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has been emphatically supporting the concept of the project for inter-linking the rivers of the country for the progress and prosperity of the country.
In accordance with the aspirations and wishes of the president, Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to initiate the steps in joining hands with the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh in this direction.
