**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer given in the Lok Sabha on 12.02.2026 regarding Unstarred Question No. 2261 about the Ken-Betwa Link Project. It confirms that the survey work of the project has been approved following the in-principle approval. Survey and investigation activities have taken place in multiple districts of Madhya Pradesh.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Detailed Project Report (DPR) Preparation:**
* Preparation of DPR for interlinking/irrigation projects requires extensive field surveys and investigations.
* Surveys include topographical, geological, construction material, geo-technical, and soil surveys for dam, barrage, canal, and command area components.
* Surveys and investigations were carried out as per the approved Terms of Reference for DPR of Ken-Betwa Link Project, 2006, and related guidelines.
* **Approvals:**
* The DPR of the project has been approved by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
* The Union Cabinet has accorded approval to the Ken–Betwa Link Project (KBLP).
* **Survey and Investigation Activities:**
* Survey and investigation activities have been carried out for the Ken-Betwa Link Project and related projects.
* State-specific projects include Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex, and Kotha Barrage.
* Districts in Madhya Pradesh where activities have taken place: Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Damoh, Sagar, Datia, Shivpuri, and Vidisha.
* Survey and investigation activities for the Patne-Bearma Project in Panna and Damoh districts have been completed.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Madhya Pradesh Districts (Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Damoh, Sagar, Datia, Shivpuri, Vidisha)**
* **Impact:** Directly impacted by the survey and investigation activities for the Ken-Betwa Link Project and related projects.
* **Action Required:** Ensure cooperation with the ongoing surveys and investigation activities.
**Stakeholder: Panna and Damoh Districts**
* **Impact:** Impacted by the completed survey and investigation activities for the Patne-Bearma Project.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of further developments based on the completed surveys.
Key Entities Referenced
Ken-Betwa Link Project: A river interlinking project to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The primary ministry responsible for water resources, river development, and Ganga rejuvenation.
Madhya Pradesh: Indian state where survey of barrages and irrigation areas has been approved for the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC): Committee of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation that approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
"Guidelines for Preparation of Detailed Project Report of Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects": Referenced document used for preparing the DPR of the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2261
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
KEN-BETWA LINK PROJECT
†2261. SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the survey work of Ken-Betwa Link Project which is a public welfare project, has been
approved following the in-principle approval of this project;
(b) if so, the details and names of the districts of Madhya Pradesh where the survey of barrages and their
irrigation areas has been approved; and
(c) if not, the time by which the approval for a detailed survey is likely to be made in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for any interlinking or irrigation project requires
extensive field surveys and investigations, including topographical surveys, geological investigations,
construction material surveys, geo-technical investigations, and soil. surveys for dam, barrage, canal, and
command area components. These surveys and investigations for various components of the Ken–Betwa
Link Project (KBLP) have been carried out as per the approved Terms of Reference for preparation of
DPR of Ken–Betwa Link Project, 2006, and the "Guidelines for Preparation of Detailed Project Report of
Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects". The DPR of the project has been approved by the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga
Rejuvenation. Thereupon, the Union Cabinet accorded approval to the Ken–Betwa Link Project (KBLP).
(b) & (c) The survey and investigation activities for the Ken–Betwa Link Project, along with its
components and State-specific projects such as Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex and Kotha Barrage, have
been carried out in the districts of Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Damoh, Sagar, Datia, Shivpuri
and Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. Further, the survey and investigation activities for the Patne–Bearma
Project, located in Panna and Damoh districts, have been completed.
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