# Ken-Betwa project enters implementation, irrigation target set at 11.88 lakh hectares 2026-08-08T06:54:21+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the only one among 30 identified river-linking projects to have entered the implementation stage, the Centre told the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said in a written reply that the project, with an estimated cost of Rs 44,605 crore, will irrigate about 11.88 lakh hectares and supply drinking water to 62 lakh people. It will also generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power. The minister said a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment and an Integrated Landscape Management Plan have been completed for the project. Meanwhile, LiveLaw reports that the project could divert 6,017 hectares of forest area and submerge about 10 per cent of the core tiger habitat in Panna Tiger Reserve, with protests against displacement continuing in Chhatarpur. ## Coverage - livelaw.in - newindianexpress.com Tags: Bundelkhand, displacement, environment, Ken-Betwa, Panna Tiger Reserve, river interlinking Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ken-betwa-river-link-environment-displacement-spark-protests/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ken-betwa-river-link-environment-displacement-spark-protests/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.