Ken-Betwa River Linking Project Explained: How India's ₹44,605 Crore Mega Project Is Transforming Bundelkhand

India's first inter-basin river linking project promises irrigation, drinking water, hydropower and drought relief for Bundelkhand. But as construction accelerates, thousands of families face displacement, environmental concerns and a difficult rehabilitation process.

India's First River Linking Project Enters a Crucial Phase

The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, India's first inter-basin river transfer project, has entered a decisive stage after decades of planning and policy discussions.

Valued at ₹44,605 crore, the ambitious project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, providing irrigation, drinking water and electricity to the drought-prone Bundelkhand region spanning Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

While construction is progressing rapidly, the project has also brought significant environmental, engineering and rehabilitation challenges, particularly for nearly 2,000 affected families living in villages that fall within the proposed reservoir area.

What Is the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project?

The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is India's first approved project under the country's long-discussed river interlinking programme.

Its objective is to transfer water from the Ken River basin, considered relatively water surplus, to the Betwa River basin, which frequently experiences water shortages.

The project is expected to improve irrigation, drinking water supply, power generation and agricultural productivity across Bundelkhand.

History of the Ken-Betwa Project

The idea of linking Indian rivers dates back to the early 1980s.

Important milestones include:

• 1982: National Water Development Agency (NWDA) established.

• 1995: Feasibility report prepared.

• 2005: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and the Centre agreed to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

• December 2021: Union Cabinet approved the project.

• April 2025: Construction gathered momentum.

• February 2026: Foundation excavation and river diversion works commenced.

Project Cost and Major Components

The total estimated cost of the project is:

₹44,605 crore

Its major engineering components include:

• Daudhan Dam

• 218.6-km Ken-Betwa Link Canal

• Lower Orr Project

• Kotha Barrage

• Bina Complex Multipurpose Project

• Restoration of the Ken Canal System in Uttar Pradesh

Daudhan Dam: The Heart of the Project

The most significant structure under the project is the Daudhan Dam, being constructed across the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh.

Key features include:

• Dam length: More than 2 km

• Gross storage capacity: 2,853 million cubic metres

• Two hydropower stations

• Annual electricity generation exceeding 219 million units

Water stored in the reservoir will be transferred through the 218.6-kilometre link canal into the Betwa basin.

Expected Benefits of the Ken-Betwa Link Project

According to official estimates, the project will:

Irrigation

• Irrigate 9.04 lakh hectares of agricultural land.

Water Transfer

• Utilize over 4,843 million cubic metres of water.

Hydropower

• Generate 103 MW of hydropower.

Solar Energy

• Produce 27 MW of solar energy.

Drinking Water

• Supply around 194 million cubic metres of drinking water annually.

Districts That Will Benefit

Madhya Pradesh

• Chhatarpur

• Tikamgarh

• Panna

• Damoh

• Vidisha

• Sagar

• Shivpuri

• Datia

• Raisen

Uttar Pradesh

• Banda

• Mahoba

• Jhansi

• Lalitpur

These districts are among the most drought-affected areas in Bundelkhand.

Construction Progress

Construction accelerated in April 2025.

By February 2026, officials reported:

• Heavy machinery deployed.

• River diversion works underway.

• Foundation excavation of Daudhan Dam in progress.

However, officials acknowledge that several engineering and administrative challenges remain.

Land Acquisition Still Underway

Authorities continue to acquire additional private land for:

• Road widening.

• Project access routes.

• Utility relocation.

Nearly 28 hectares of additional land remain under acquisition.

Work also continues to relocate:

• Water pipelines.

• Electricity infrastructure.

• Government buildings.

Rehabilitation: The Biggest Challenge

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the project is the rehabilitation of families living within the submergence zone.

Official estimates state:

• 1,913 affected families

• 10 villages

• Population of approximately 8,339 people

• Around 33.9% Scheduled Tribe population

Construction cannot proceed fully until rehabilitation requirements are completed.

Environmental Clearance Condition

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted environmental clearance subject to an important condition:

All rehabilitation and resettlement work must be completed before the project is commissioned.

This condition has become one of the project's major implementation challenges.

Villagers Raise Concerns Over Compensation

Although the government says rehabilitation has made substantial progress, many villagers claim they have been left out of official surveys.

Common complaints include:

• Houses omitted from surveys.

• Missing family members.

• Incorrect eligibility records.

• Under-assessment of land.

• Delays in compensation.

Several protests have been held by residents of:

• Daudhan

• Palkhua

• Sukwaha

Special Rehabilitation Package

In September 2023, the Madhya Pradesh Government announced a special rehabilitation package.

Benefits include:

• ₹12.5 lakh for every eligible adult family unit (married couples counted as one unit).

• House compensation ranging between ₹50,000 and ₹1.5 lakh.

• Residential plots at Kawar Karondiya Rehabilitation Colony.

Rehabilitation Still Faces Documentation Issues

Many affected residents say proving eligibility has become their biggest struggle.

Families are relying on documents such as:

• Aadhaar cards

• School certificates

• Voter IDs

• Revenue records

• Family registers

Some claim their names or houses were never recorded during official surveys.

Collector Says Most Compensation Has Been Paid

According to Chhatarpur Collector Parth Jaiswal:

• Around 380 families have already shifted from Daudhan.

• Another 100 families later received rehabilitation benefits.

• Approximately ₹750 crore has been disbursed.

Official data shows:

Chhatarpur

• Nearly 89% land compensation paid

• Around 96% asset compensation paid

• Over 96% rehabilitation assistance released

Panna

• Nearly 90% land compensation completed

• Almost all rehabilitation payments released.

Officials say only around 30–35 complicated cases remain unresolved in Daudhan village.

Environmental Concerns

Apart from displacement, the project has also raised environmental concerns.

Construction of the Daudhan Dam is expected to directly submerge:

• Around 2,171 hectares of village land.

The wider submergence area covers approximately:

• 9,000 hectares

Critics argue this may affect:

• Forest ecosystems.

• Wildlife habitats.

• Local biodiversity.

Life at the Rehabilitation Colony

Families shifted to Kawar Karondiya are gradually rebuilding their lives.

However, many challenges remain:

• Limited water supply.

• High tanker costs.

• Employment difficulties.

• School dropouts.

• Reduced income opportunities.

• Distance from ration shops.

Some residents acknowledge improvements such as electricity, while others say rebuilding livelihoods remains difficult.

Why the Ken-Betwa Project Matters

The Ken-Betwa Link Project represents one of India's most ambitious water infrastructure programmes.

Supporters believe it can:

• Reduce drought.

• Improve agricultural productivity.

• Enhance water security.

• Generate clean energy.

• Strengthen regional development.

At the same time, the project highlights the importance of balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation and fair rehabilitation of affected communities.

Key Facts

• Project Cost: ₹44,605 crore

• India's First Inter-Basin River Linking Project

• Link Canal Length: 218.6 km

• Daudhan Dam Storage: 2,853 million cubic metres

• Irrigation Potential: 9.04 lakh hectares

• Hydropower: 103 MW

• Solar Power: 27 MW

• Drinking Water Supply: 194 million cubic metres annually

• Affected Families: 1,913

• Affected Villages: 10