This year’s world Water Day marked a momentous occasion in India’s hydrological history. On March 22, states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh signed a memorandum of understanding with Union Minister of Jal Shakti to implement India’s very first river interlinking project connecting Ken and Betwa rivers in the Bundelkhand area. The Link Project (KBLP) producing it the very first project of the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers. The occasion was attended, practically, by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the CMs of each the concerned states. Ken-Betwa hyperlink project which will connect Bundelkhand’s two big river (tributaries of Yamuna) is anticipated to provide the arid area with annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh hectares. Bunelkhand’s 62 lakh population will get drinking water provide and 103 MW of hydropower, according to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry. While there are big added benefits of India’s very first river interlinking project it is also facing opposition from some quarters. Concerns have been raised in the environmental and ecological effect of the project and rehabilitation of the project. In an exclusive interaction with TheSpuzz Online, Bhopal Singh, Director General of the National Water Development Agency talked about how the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project will satiate the thirst of Bundelkhand and also addresses all issues raised on the environmental effect of the project and challenge of rehabilitation: Excerpt:
How is the Ken-Betwa hyperlink project going to assist in fulfilling the demand of water in the Bundelkhand area?
The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is the very first Interlinking of River Project below National Perspective Plan (NPP) which is prepared for implementation. The Bundelkhand area faces recurring drought circumstances which has hampered the socio-financial improvement of the area. The area is also not extremely wealthy in ground water due to really hard rock and marginal alluvium terrain. Therefore, there is a will need for a project of a scale which will assist in harnessing the flood water for the duration of monsoon period and stabilize the water availability in the area in lean periods specifically for the duration of drought years.
The Ken Betwa Link Project envisages to provide huge added benefits to the water starved districts viz. Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh & Datia of Madhya Pradesh and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi & Lalitpur of Uttar Pradesh in Bundelkhand area as effectively as to the Vidisha, Shivpuri and Raisen districts of Madhya Pradesh. The project will provide more than 10 lakh hectare annual irrigation and will also provide drinking water provide to a population of about 62 lakhs. Apart from other added benefits, the project will assist in rejuvenating tanks in the area by feeding them by way of the hyperlink canal, wherever attainable, and would assist in ground recharge. The project plans to use micro irrigation rather extensively for greater water use efficiency. The project will lead to integrated improvement and management of water sources in the area and therefore provide water safety to the area.
| Ken-Betwa Link Project: India’s very first river interlinking project to quench the thirst of parched Bundelkhand
How extended, you consider, will it take to connect the two rivers and total the project? What is the deadline you are seeking at?
The project consists of 4 major components viz., Daudhan dam complicated which includes Ken-Betwa Link Canal, Kotha barrage, Lower Orr project and Bina complicated project. The Daudhan dam complicated has been estimated to be completed in 8 years. The Lower Orr, Kotha barrage and Bina complicated projects will be completed by 5, 4, 5 years period respectively as per the Comprehensive Report of the hyperlink project. The MoA for implementation of the project has currently been signed on 22.03.2021 amongst MP, UP and Centre. The project will be implemented by way of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) viz., Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA). Govt of India plans to implement this very first ILR project as a model project. Most of the clearances have currently been obtained for the project. The approval of Public Investment Board and Cabinet and stage-II forest clearance are anticipated quickly which will pave the way for the commencement of the building of the project.
Tell us about the numerous phases in the building of the Ken-Betwa hyperlink project.
The numerous phases in implementing the project is as follows:
– Circulation of updated PIB Memo amongst numerous Ministries/Departments and approval by PIB and Cabinet
– Obtaining remaining clearances like stage-II forest clearance for Daudhan dam, environmental clearance for Lower Orr project and so on. Finalisation of Landscape Management Plan for Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR)
– Setting of Steering Committee and Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority with representatives from MP, UP and Centre
– Finalization of funding sources/agency(ies)
– Engagement of) Project Management Consultancy(PMC) for management and monitoring of the implementation of the project
– Pre-building surveys, scheduling/phasing of operates involved, tendering, Land acquisition procedure, and so on.,
– Finalisation of R&R strategy and initiating action for Displacement and Relocation of project impacted households as per the R&R strategy
– Award of operates for implementation of numerous elements
What is the status of other river interlinking projects in India?
A National Perspective Plan (NPP) was formulated) in the year 1980 for transferring water from water surplus basins to water-deficit basins/regions in which 30 hyperlinks had been identified (Figure-I). The National water Development Agency (NWDA) was established in July, 1982 to carry out water balance research of numerous basins/diversion points and the feasibility of identified hyperlinks. The pre-feasibility report of the all 30 hyperlinks have been ready and circulated. After survey and investigations, the Feasibility Reports of 24 hyperlinks have been completed.
Based on the choices taken by Task Force on ILR and Special Committee on Interlinking of Rivers (SC-ILR), some of the hyperlinks have been identified as priority hyperlinks. Detailed Project Reports of all the priority hyperlinks i.e. Ken – Betwa hyperlink project, Damanganga – Pinjal hyperlink, Par – Tapi – Narmada hyperlink and Godvari – Krishna – Penner -Cauvery hyperlink have been completed. The numerous statutory clearances of the Ken – Betwa hyperlink project phase have been accorded. A tripartite agreement amongst states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and Centre has currently been signed on 22.03.2021 for the implementation of Ken – Betwa link project. The techno-financial clearance to the Damanganga – Pinjal hyperlink project has also been accorded topic to statutory clearances. The DPR of Par – Tapi – Narmada hyperlink is below technical appraisal in Central Water Commission. The signing of MoA / MoU for implementation of Damanganga – Pinjal and Par – Tapi – Narmada hyperlink projects are below discussions with the concerned party States. The DPR of Cauvery – Vaigai – Gundar hyperlink project has been completed and circulated to party States. The DPR of Bedti – Varada hyperlink project along with alternates recommended by Govt. of Karnataka is below preparation. It is planned to total the Feasibility Reports/Detailed Project Reports of all possible hyperlinks below NPP by the year 2024 by NWDA.
The additional progress on the implementation of numerous hyperlinks would rely upon the consensus amongst party states as the ILR programme is becoming pursued by the Central Govt. in a consultative manner and by way of creating consensus amongst party states and the identical is challenging to obtain. NWDA has also taken up research of intra-state hyperlinks as requested by numerous states. Out of the 48 hyperlink proposals received from nine (9) States, the PFRs of 37 hyperlink projects had been completed and sent to concerned States. Remaining hyperlinks are neither feasible or withdrawn by States. The DPRs of 4 intra-state hyperlink projects viz., Burhi Gandak – Noon – Baya – Ganga hyperlink & Kosi – Mechi hyperlink of Bihar, Ponnaiyar – Palar Link Project of Tamil Nadu and Wainganga – Nalganga hyperlink project of Maharashtra have been completed and sent to party States. The techno-financial, environmental and investment clearances for Kosi – Mechi hyperlink project have been accorded and this hyperlink is prepared for implementation. The DPRs of Damanganga – Vaitarna – Godavari (Kadva Dev) hyperlink and Damanganga (Ekdare) – Godavari hyperlink of Maharashtra are below progress.
For the future of interlinking of rivers in India, a lot depends on the successful execution of KBLP. Are you conscious about making sure it becomes a success and how do you look at the concept of river linking in solving the water crisis in general.
You are absolutely right. Like reaching an agreement amongst states and Centre for the implementation of KBLP is a very important step for the cause of ILR and cooperative federalism, its successful implementation would be even more critical for the concept of inter basin water transfer for addressing the hydrological imbalance in the country and augmenting the water availability in water short/deficit areas. There are many challenges in the execution of such big infrastructure project like understanding amongst party states, financing, R&R and land acquisition, likely environmental impacts, cost escalation, inordinate delays, dispute resolution. etc. This project also impacts some portion of Panna Tiger Reserve making it more challenging.
KBLP is planned to be implemented as a model project in a time bound manner duly addressing the R&R and environmental issues. The project is planned to be executed through a SPV (KBLPA) assisted by a project management consultancy for efficient management & monitoring using state of art technologies. The project shall be largely funded by the Central Govt. ensuring timely availability of funds as per requirements. The project has incorporated a very liberal R&R package and a very comprehensive environmental management plan has been made. Also a comprehensive Landscape Management Plan (LMP) is being prepared by Wildlife Institute of India under supervision of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Forest departments for not only taking mitigation measures but also enhancing the conservation and carrying capacity of PTR. The project plans to use a micro irrigation system quite extensively for better water use efficiency. The existing tanks enroute of the link canal are also planned to be rejuvenated and augmented for inclusive water management in the region. Post implementation, an authority shall be created for water accounting, control and regulation of water for optimum utilisation and management of water resources in the basins. The project shall lead to integrated development and management of water resources in the region and would set an example for other similar projects also.
Would you like to address the issue of population displacement and environment/ecological concerns due to the construction of Daudhan dam?
Due to the Daudhan dam, about 9000 hectare of area will come under submergence covering forest land of about 5800 hectare and 3200 hectare of non forest land spread over 10 villages affecting 1913 families. A Resettlement and Economic Rehabilitation Plan for these affected families as per the Act “The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency inland Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013” has been prepared and included in the estimated cost of the project. The issue of R&R Plan has three major components viz., land compensation, resettlement and economic rehabilitation of displaced persons and economic rehabilitation of PAFs who have lost only land but no house/house sites. Necessary Socio-Economic Impact Assessment studies have been carried out and the compensation as per the act has been worked out and included in the project cost. The cost of R&R plan has been worked out at Rs.673.51 Crore and included in the DPR.
For the submergence of forest land of 5800 hectare, a comprehensive Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) has been prepared covering the land environment including Catchment Area treatment, biological conservations, public health management plan, air & noise pollution management plan under the pre and post project period. The provision of Rs. 6053 crore has been included as the cost of land acquisition, NPV, CAT and CA in the DPR of the project.
In order to mitigate adverse impacts on Panna Tiger Reserve coming under part submergence, as decided by Standing Committee of National Wild Life Board and NTCA, Landscape Management Plan to decide mitigation strategy with respect to Ken-Betwa Link has been entrusted to Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and same is under finalisation. In addition to above, three Wild Life Sanctuaries viz Nauradehi, Rani Durgawati of MP and Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary of UP are planned to be integrated with PTR for proper conservation of Wild Life under Tiger Reserve. This will give ease to Tigers for free movement. Thus the project is aimed at not providing water security in the Bundelkhand region but also ensuring the overall conservation of the region and specially for landscape dependent species such as tiger, vultures and crocodiles.