Bhopal
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that the Ken-Betwa and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link projects are the result of the tireless efforts of the government. Continuous efforts were being made for these ambitious national projects for the last 20 years. It is a matter of great fortune for the state that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved these projects and he himself is coming to lay the foundation stone of them. These projects will change the picture and destiny of Bundelkhand and Malwa region. This will bring big changes in the social and economic fields. Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa Link Project on December 25 in a program organized in Khajuraho, Chhatarpur and the foundation stone of the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project in Jaipur (Rajasthan).
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav reviewed the preparations for the program through video conferencing from Samatva Bhawan (Chief Minister’s residence) on Friday. Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silavat, Additional Chief Secretary Water Resources Dr. Rajesh Rajoura and all concerned officers were present. Commissioners of divisions and collectors of districts associated with the project participated through video conference.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of rivers in the country and it also has immense amount of water. We have to use it as much as possible in the interest of farmers. He said that Madhya Pradesh’s participation in two big national projects is a big achievement. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the message of importance and proper use of water should reach every person. There should be farmer conferences in every village, Kalash Yatra should be taken out, morning fairs should be held, bhajan groups and folk artists should give presentations, painting, essay and debate competitions should be held in schools and colleges. There should be participation of public representatives, self-help groups and social service organizations in the programs.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that along with the national projects of river linking, the work of linking rivers within the state will also be done continuously. In Ujjain, work is being done to connect Kanh river to Gambhir river by making a 20 kilometer duct. Sewarkhedi-Silarkhedi project is also starting. We will continuously make the state prosperous in terms of water. It is our resolve to provide adequate water for irrigation to every farm.
Water Resources Minister Silavat said that the modified Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project will irrigate 6 lakh 13 thousand 520 hectares in Malwa and Chambal regions of the state and drinking water will be available to a population of 40 lakh. Apart from this, due to the modernization work of almost 60 years old Chambal Right Main Canal and distribution system, water will be made available as per the demand of farmers in 3 lakh 62 thousand hectare area in 1205 villages of Bhind, Morena and Sheopur districts. The project will benefit 3217 villages of Guna, Morena, Shivpuri, Bhind, Sheopur, Ujjain, Sehore, Mandsaur, Indore, Dewas, Agar Malwa, Shajapur and Rajgarh districts of the state.
Under the Ken-Betwa Link Project, by constructing a dam in Daudhan village, the water of Ken River will be released into Betwa River through a 221 km long link canal, providing irrigation facilities on both sides of the route. The project will provide irrigation facility in total 8 lakh 11 thousand hectare area of the state. This will benefit about 2013 villages of Chhatarpur, Panna, Damoh, Tikamgarh, Shivpuri, Niwari, Datia Raisen, Vidisha and Sagar districts. Through the project, 44 lakh population of the state will get the facility of drinking water and 103 MW hydro power and 27 MW solar power will also be produced.
Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Rajoura said that public awareness campaign for the projects will be run till 25th December. During the campaign, Kalash-Yatra and Prabhat Pheris will be taken out in the villages, farmer conferences, street plays, bhajans and cultural programs explaining the importance of water will be organised. Various competitions related to water conservation and promotion will also be organized in educational institutions. The ground-breaking ceremony of the projects will also be telecast live in all the Gram Panchayats.
