`44,605cr to link Ken-Betwa rivers

● Draft DPRs of Damanganga-Pinjal, Par-Tapi-Narmada, Godavari-Krishna, Krishna-Pennar, and Pennar-Cauvery have been finalised

New Delhi, Feb. 1: The implementation of KenBetwa rivers linking at an estimated cost of `44,605 crore will be taken up, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday.

She said the draft detailed project reports (DPRs) of five river links, namely Damanganga Pinjal, Par-Tapi Narmada, Godavari Krishna, Krishna-Pennar, and Pennar-Cauvery have been finalised.

The Ken-Betwa Link Project is aimed at providing irrigation benefits to 9.08 lakh hectare of farmers’ lands, drinking water supply for 62 lakh people, 103 MW of hydro, and 27 MW of solar power, ms Sitharaman said.

“Allocations of `4,300 crore in RE 2021-22 and `1,400 crore in 2022-23 have been made for this project,” she said.

“Once a consensus is reached among the beneficiary states, the Centre will provide support for implementation,” she said.

Ms Sitharaman proposed to launch a new scheme PM Development Initiative for North East, to promote the growth of the region.

The `1,500-crore scheme will fund infrastructure, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti, and social development projects based on the needs of the North-East. It will enable livelihood activities for youth and women, filling the gaps in various sectors.