PM Modi to Lay Foundation Stone of India's First River-Linking Project on December 25

On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to mark a historic milestone in India’s water resource management by laying the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, the nation’s first river interlinking initiative under the National Perspective Plan. This significant event will take place during PM Modi’s visit to Madhya Pradesh on December 25, where he will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects in Khajuraho.

The Ken-Betwa project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh. It is designed to alleviate water scarcity in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, benefiting districts such as Jhansi, Banda, Lalitpur, and Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Tikamgarh, Panna, and Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh. By providing irrigation facilities to lakhs of farmer families, the project promises to transform the rural economy. It will also enhance drinking water supply and generate over 100 MW of green energy through hydropower, aligning with the government’s focus on sustainable development.

As part of the occasion, Prime Minister will release a commemorative stamp and coin in honour of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Additionally, he will lay the foundation stone for 1,153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings, which are expected to boost good governance at the grassroots level by enhancing the operational efficiency of Gram Panchayats.

The Ken-Betwa Link Project involves constructing the Dhaudhan Dam, a 77-meter tall and 2-kilometer-wide structure within the Panna Tiger Reserve, along with a 230-kilometer canal to facilitate water transfer. This project is one of 30 proposed river interlinking initiatives in India aimed at optimizing water distribution.

In another major step toward energy sustainability, Modi will inaugurate the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district. The project, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions and support the government’s net-zero target by 2070, is also designed to conserve water by minimizing evaporation

These initiatives will address environmental challenges and ensure long-term benefits for rural communities and the nation as a whole.