On August 22, various union government departments and agencies published several news releases linked to the environment, climate change, public health, and related social sectors that are important for the country’s present and future. The Plurals has collated the key information for you.
PIB responded to sixty-five queries about Ken-Betwa River link project
About the Project
1. What is the Ken-Betwa Link Project?
The Ken–Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is a major water-resources development project intended to address the long-standing water scarcity and irrigation challenges of the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The project envisages transfer of water from the Ken basin to the Betwa basin through a system comprising the Daudhan Dam, link canal and associated works. KBLP is the first priority project under the National Perspective Plan for Interlinking of Rivers to enter the implementation stage.
2. What is the scheme of the project?
This project involves transfer of water from the Ken to the Betwa River through construction of the 96.7 m high Daudhan Dam on the Ken River in Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, about 40 km from Khajuraho. A 216.465 km-long Ken–Betwa Link Canal will take off near the Daudhan Dam and merge into Barua Sagar near Jhansi. Other components include the Lower Orr Project, Kotha Barrage, and Bina Complex Multipurpose Project.
The Project also includes various irrigation and water infrastructure works to be implemented by the Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, including modernization and strengthening of existing canal systems, renovation of tanks and weirs, construction of barrages, development of pumping and pressurized pipe/micro-irrigation systems, stabilization and development of new command areas, and implementation of associated water supply and irrigation projects.
3. What is the total cost of the project
The total cost of the project is ₹44,605 crore.
4. What is the status of this project
The foundation stone of the project was laid by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 25th December 2024. The dam is under construction, while work on the canal is yet to begin. The Lower Orr Project, Kotha Barrage, and Bina Complex Multipurpose Project are under construction. Preparation of DPR of other state-specific projects of MP and UP is also under finalisation stage. The Project is scheduled for completion in 2030.
5. Why is this project needed?
Bundelkhand region has historically faced recurrent water scarcity, dependence on rainfall, inadequate irrigation facilities, declining groundwater availability in several areas and vulnerability of agriculture to drought.
The Ken Betwa Link Project is designed to provide more dependable water availability for irrigation and drinking-water requirements while also generating renewable energy and supporting broader regional development. The project is therefore not merely an irrigation project; it is envisaged as a comprehensive water-security and regional-development initiative for Bundelkhand.
6. What are the main benefits of the project?
The Project will provide irrigation to 10.62 lakh ha, drinking water to about 62 lakh people, and generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power. Thus, it will supply clean drinking water, electricity, and reliable year-round irrigation across vast farmlands in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, permanently resolving the long-standing water crisis in the Bundelkhand region.
7. Which areas will benefit from this project?
The project will benefit the water-starved Bundelkhand region across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, covering districts such as Chhatarpur, Newari, Tikamgarh, Panna, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri, and Raisen in M.P., and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur in U.P.
Detailed report link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2301975®=48&lang=1
BRICS tourism ministers adopted Jaipur Declaration, acknowledged potential of artificial Intelligence and digital technologies in tourism
The BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting under India’s Chairship concluded in Jaipur today with the adoption of the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Communiqué 2026 (Jaipur Declaration), providing a framework for strengthening tourism cooperation among BRICS Member States.
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. It marked the culmination of the BRICS Tourism Track under India’s Chairship in 2026, being taken forward under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The meeting saw participation from nine BRICS Member States. Ministerial participation included Mr. Gustavo Costa Feliciando, Minister of Tourism, Brazil; Mr. Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Iran; Ms. Patricia De Lille, Minister of Tourism, South Africa; and H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, United Arab Emirates, along with Heads of Delegation from China, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Russia. The Indian delegation included Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and Shri Harikishore S., Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, among other officials.
The Jaipur Declaration reflects the work undertaken through the BRICS Tourism Working Group during India’s Chairship around four thematic priorities — Artificial Intelligence and Tourism; Sustainability and Responsible Tourism; Tourism Skilling and Capacity Building; and Tourism Exchanges and Seamless Travel Facilitation.
The Ministers’ Communique adopted by consensus by BRICS Tourism Ministers recognises the transformative potential of responsible, safe and human-centred Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies in tourism and supports cooperation in tourism planning, destination management, visitor services, multilingual communication and travel facilitation.
It further places emphasis on sustainable and community-centred tourism, protection of natural and cultural heritage, tourism investment and infrastructure, development and promotion of diverse tourism products, continuous skilling and upskilling, industry-academia partnerships, exchange of tourism data and statistics, sharing of best practices and stronger people-to-people connectivity among BRICS Member States.
Detailed report link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2302067®=48&lang=1