Steering Committee Meeting of Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority Held in New Delhi

New Delhi: The 6th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) convened today in New Delhi, chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The meeting was attended by key officials from the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh water resources departments, along with representatives from various relevant organizations.

Mukherjee emphasized the significance of the Ken-Betwa Link Project for the Bundelkhand region, underlining the need for employing best practices in construction to protect the environment and biodiversity while promoting community development. She acknowledged the Government of Madhya Pradesh for its prompt transfer of land to the Forest Department, which was a prerequisite for Stage-II Forest Clearance.

During the meeting, the Chairperson urged the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to expedite land acquisition for the Link Canal and to ensure the timely completion of all pending Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). She stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among all partners to achieve the project’s objectives within the set timelines.

Key discussions included the planning and execution of the Daudhan Dam, which is a critical component of the project. Mukherjee recommended that both states prioritize attaching offices to the KBLPA to facilitate smoother operations. She also called for effective implementation of resettlement and rehabilitation measures to improve the lives of project-affected families.

In addition, the Chairperson highlighted the need for the Forest Department to accelerate compensatory afforestation and catchment area treatment, especially during the ongoing monsoon season. She directed all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the Integrated Landscape Management Plan, emphasizing the importance of coordination among all involved parties to achieve timely and projected benefits.

The meeting saw participation from senior officials including Shirish Mishra, Engineer-in-Chief, Department of Water Resources, Madhya Pradesh; Akhilesh Kumar Sachan, Engineer-in-Chief & Head of Department, Department of Irrigation & Water Resources, Uttar Pradesh; and representatives from NITI Aayog, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), National Water Development Agency (NWDA), Central Water Commission (CWC), KBLPA, and WAPCOS.