Centre Urges UP and MP Governments to Accelerate Land Acquisition for Link Canal.

The Central Government has called on Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to accelerate land acquisition processes and swiftly complete all pending Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the Ken-Betwa Link Project.

The ambitious river interlinking initiative aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh, providing irrigation to the drought-affected Bundelkhand region.

During the sixth meeting of the Steering Committee of the Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority on Friday, chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the project's importance was highlighted. Mukherjee stressed the need for best practices in construction to safeguard the environment, biodiversity, and foster community development.

She commended the Madhya Pradesh government for its timely land transfer to the Forest Department, which helped meet the requirements for Stage-II Forest Clearance. However, she urged both states to expedite land acquisition for the link canal and finalize all pending DPRs.

The meeting also addressed the planning and execution of the Daudhan Dam, with an emphasis on prioritizing the attachment of offices to the Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority. Mukherjee called for effective resettlement and rehabilitation measures for families affected by the project and requested the Forest Department to implement compensatory afforestation and catchment area treatment during the monsoon season.

The meeting concluded with directives to implement the Integrated Landscape Management Plan in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure timely and effective project execution.

BS