Residents of the Panna district in Madhya Pradesh are expressing disagreement regarding the construction of a dam on the Ken River as part of the Ken-Betwa river linking project. The goal of this project is to address water scarcity in Bundhelkhand, increase agricultural irrigation, and provide drinking water to the population.
However, the implementation of this project is leading to the flooding of homes, temples, and the lands of local residents. Protesters point out that the compensation they receive for the damage incurred is insufficient. This project, estimated at approximately $4.6 billion (about 44,600 crore rupees), also raises issues related to ecology and water resource accessibility.
This project represents the first phase of a major central government program to connect rivers. It involves connecting the Ken River from Madhya Pradesh with the Betwa River from Uttar Pradesh. The government asserts that this will solve the water shortage problem in Bundhelkhand and provide farmers with water for irrigation. Meanwhile, protesting residents insist that they are being forced to leave their ancestral lands and homes, demanding not only fair compensation but also alternative housing.
According to the Ken-Betwa project plan, water from the Ken River will be diverted into the Betwa River area through the construction of the Daudhan dam on the Ken River. The estimated cost for this project is around 44,600 crore rupees. The main objective is to deliver water to the drought-stricken and water-scarce areas of Bundhelkhand.
According to the government, this project will irrigate 10.62 million hectares of land, provide drinking water to approximately 6.2 million people, and allow for the generation of 103 megawatts of electricity. Nevertheless, villagers affected by this scheme believe that seizing their homes and lands to solve the water problem is unacceptable.
Compensation is being paid to those affected by the project for their land. The government has offered an amount of no less than 12.5 lakh rupees per hectare, which is higher than the previous rate of 5 lakh rupees per hectare. District administration reports that over 90 percent of those affected have received compensation.
Some rural residents object, stating that this amount is insufficient to cover all their losses. They are concerned not only about the loss of housing but also the loss of livelihoods associated with agriculture and earnings. Local priest Daniram Bhatnagar reported that the temple where he earned a living was flooded. He noted that while the compensation covers property damage, it does not account for the loss of income from the temple.
Ecological concerns have also arisen. Environmentalists argue that the construction of the Daudhan dam could lead to the flooding of about 9,000 hectares of land, including a significant part of the Panna sanctuary. Panna Sanctuary is known for its role in tiger conservation. The loss of part of the forest area could negatively affect the habitat of tigers and other wildlife. The government states that it will take measures to minimize environmental damage, such as tree planting and wildlife protection.
Questions are also being raised regarding the benefits of the project. Some water resource experts note that the plan is based on the assumption of water surplus in the Ken River area and deficit in the Betwa River area, but scientific confirmation of this assumption has not been fully established.
The government insists that the project will help meet Bundhelkhand's needs for irrigation, drinking water, and electricity. At the same time, protesters and environmental experts express concern that achieving these goals may come at the expense of villages and forests. Thus, the Ken-Betwa project faces the task not only of transferring water from one river to another but also of ensuring fair compensation for affected families, providing them with living and earning conditions, and reducing damage to forests.