On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-anticipated Ken-Betwa Link Project worth ?44,605 crore, setting the foundation for Bundelkhand’s transformation.
The announcement was made by BJP State President and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma at a press briefing at the party's state headquarters. The project, a long-cherished dream of Vajpayee, aims to irrigate 10.5 lakh hectares of land, halt migration, create employment opportunities, and accelerate industrialization in the region.The Ken-Betwa project, India’s first river-linking initiative, will benefit 10 districts in Madhya Pradesh and four in Uttar Pradesh.
It will provide clean drinking water to over 62 lakh people. The districts in Madhya Pradesh set to benefit include Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Panna, Damoh, Vidisha, Sagar, Shivpuri, Datia, and Raisen, while in Uttar Pradesh, Mahoba, Banda, Jhansi, and Lalitpur districts will gain. This project, Sharma stated, will prove to be a milestone for Bundelkhand’s development and a blessing for future generations.
Sharma emphasized that the people of Bundelkhand are preparing to give a historic welcome to the Prime Minister. Invitations are being extended through Kalash Yatras, with representatives expressing their gratitude for this transformative initiative. The project aims to turn Bundelkhand green, reduce poverty, and foster rapid industrial growth.
Sharma took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of lamenting Bundelkhand's poverty while failing to take concrete action. He praised Prime Minister Modi for realizing Vajpayee’s vision of connecting rivers and ensuring clean water for every household. He also acknowledged the efforts of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav in overcoming obstacles to bring the project to fruition.
Highlighting Modi’s commitment to the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sharma said the Prime Minister’s initiatives have elevated Bundelkhand's status on the global map. He pointed to improved air, road, and rail connectivity, as well as advancements in education and tourism, particularly in Khajuraho.<
Describing the Ken-Betwa project as a pivotal step in addressing Bundelkhand’s longstanding issues of drought and poverty, Sharma said the BJP government has made significant efforts to provide water to the region.
