Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the Ken-Betwa river link project has received government approval. The linkage's cost will be in the range of 44,605 crores with central funding of 39,317 crores.
The National Water Development Agency (NWDA), has identified 16 links for inter-basin transfer. This will be under the Peninsular Rivers component of the National Perspective Plan (NPP). And there are 14 links under the Himalayan component.
He stated during Question House that pre-feasibility reports for all 30 linkages are complete. Also, feasibility reports for 24 links and detailed project reports for eight links are also complete.
According to the minister, the government has approved the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP). It is one of the links included in the Peninsular Rivers Component. It was to finish in December 2021 at an estimated cost of 44,605 crores with central funding of 39,317 crores. The funding is via a special-purpose vehicle called the Ken Betwa Link Project Authority.
Additionally, there are intra-state link projects. NWDA received 49 link proposals from 10 states. Of which 39 link project pre-feasibility reports are complete. Six link project detailed project reports are also completed. The finished reports are now with the states in question.
According to Shekhawat, there is a significant difference in the country's water availability. This causes persistent flooding in certain areas while causing drought in others. The interlinking of rivers scheme will lessen regional disparities in water availability.
The Indian government created the NPP for water resources development in 1980. It was to provide storage and transportation of surplus water to water shortage regions. This was to lessen the frequency of droughts. It would also lessen the impact of yearly recurrent floods, he said.
