It was a historic day for the residents of entire Bundelkhand region as much-awaited and ambitious Ken-Betwa River Linking National Project was inaugurated at the hands of Prime Minster Narendra Modi at Khajuraho on Wednesday. The grand occasion was organised on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who had initiated the River Linking Project to end drought in many areas of the country. On the occasion, the Prime Minister stated that Dr B R Ambedkar was one of the first to understand the importance of river water in India. He highlighted that major river valley projects in India were based on Dr Ambedkar’s vision and the Central Water Commission was also established due to his efforts. Modi expressed anguish that previous Governments never gave Dr Ambedkar the due credit for his contribution towards water conservation and large dam projects, and they were never serious about these efforts.

 

The Prime Minister further said that even after seven decades, many States in India still have water disputes and remarked that lack of intent and misgovernance of previous dispensations prevented any concrete efforts. Modi also said that major challenge of the 21st century is water security. “In the 21st century only those countries who have adequate water resources with proper management will move forward,” he said. In a graceful function, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Khajuraho. Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil, Deputy CMs Jagdish Devda, Rajendra Shukla, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel, Water Resource Minister Tulsiram Silawat, MP Faggan Singh Kulaste were present among other dignitaries during the event. On the occasion, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Ken- Betwa River Linking Project, country’s first interlinking of rivers project under national perspective plan.

 

The project will provide irrigation facilities to various districts in MP and Uttar Pradesh benefitting lakhs of farmer families. The project will also provide drinking water facilities to people of the region. Along with this, hydropower projects will contribute more than 100 MW in green energy. The project will also create many employment opportunities as well as strengthen the rural economy. The PM also laid foundation stone of 1153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings. These buildings will play an important role in practical conduct of work and responsibilities of Gram Panchayats leading to good governance at local level. The PM inaugurated Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project established at Omkareshwar in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The project will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the Government’s mission of net zero carbon emission by 2070.