Madhya Pradesh: PM Modi hails BR Ambedkar's vision on water resources

LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF KEN-BETWA LINKING PROJ

- SATYAPRAKASH SHARMA

BHOPAL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that Babasaheb Ambedkar was the first to think of the importance of India's water power and sustainable solutions to water crises after Independence.

The PM made these remarks while addressing the foundation stone ceremony of the country's first National River Linking Project, Ken-Betwa, in Bundelkhand's Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

The ambitious project, with an estimated cost of Rs 44,605 crore, aims to provide drinking water to nearly 44 lakh people across ten districts in Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh. In addition to addressing the region's water needs, officials highlighted its broader impact, including benefits for approximately 7.18 lakh agricultural families spanning 2,000 villages. The project is also set to enhance energy sustainability by generating 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy, making it a multifaceted initiative for development and resource optimisation.

The event was organised to mark the 100th birth anniversary of BJP's ideological stalwart and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had envisioned river linking.