Rs. 45000 crore Allocated For Ken-Betwa Link Project To Help Farmers & Provide Irrigation Benefits

Budget 2022: In what comes as good news for farmers, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday announced a budget of Rs.45000 crores for the interlinking of rivers Ken and Betwa. The Modi government approved the project as part of the National Perspective Plan for River Interlinking.

What is Ken-Betwa Link Project

The Ken-Betwa interlinking project aims to transfer water from the Ken river to the Betwa river. The Ken-Betwa Link Canal will be 221 km long including a 2 km long tunnel. The project is expected to increase irrigation in the region that is prone to water shortages. The overall cost of the Ken-Betwa link project has been estimated at Rs.44605 crore.  

"Ken-Betwa connection will be built at a cost of Rs.44605 crores to provide irrigation to 9.05 lakh hectares, drinking water to 65 lakh people, hydro and solar power," the FM stated in her Union Budget speech. Under PM Gatishakti's master plan, national highway network will be expanded by 25,000 kilometres in 2022-23; Rs.20000 crores will be mobilized through innovative finance methods to supplement public resources," she added. 

Important Updates: 

• Kisan drones will be pushed for crop assessment, land record digitization, and pesticide and fertilizer spraying; states will be urged to modify agro-university curricula: FM Nirmala Sitharaman 

• Ken-Betwa link at Rs.44605 crores to be developed to supply irrigation to 9.05 lakh hectares, drinking water to 65 lakh people, hydro and solar power: Sitharaman, FM

• The national highway network will be developed by 25,000 kms under PM Gatishakti'smaster plan in 2022-23 with Rs.20000 crores mobilized through innovative finance methods to supplement public resources: FM Nirmala Sitharaman 

• The Credit Guaranty Trust for SMEs will be revamped with the necessary capital, allowing for extra credit of Rs.2 lakh crore for MSEs and expanding job opportunities: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

• In the first stage, chemical-free natural farming would be promoted throughout the country, with an emphasis on farmers' land in 5 km wide corridors along the  river Ganga: FM Nirmala Sitharaman 

• The Finance Ministeralso stated that the Railways will develop new products for farmers and SMEs. To assist local businesses and supply chains, 'one station-one product' model has been implemented. 400 Vande Bharat trains to be manufactured in next 3 years. 

Following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama delivered the fourth Union Budget of the Modi Government 2.0 on Tuesday. This year, like 2021, a Made in India tablet replaced the traditional 'Bahi Khata.' Sitharaman presented the fiscal year 2022-23 financial statements and tax proposals (April 2022 to March 2023).