Dr. Mohan Yadav Highlights Atal Ji's Vision of River Linking as a Gift to the Nation

"Amidst light and darkness, in battles won and lost, life’s aspirations must align and progress together," said Dr. Mohan Yadav, echoing the poetic call of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary. Paying homage to Atal Ji, Dr. Yadav highlighted his enduring contributions to India's progress, particularly the visionary river-linking project.

Atal Ji, a leader who transitioned from a dedicated RSS worker to a transformative Prime Minister, laid the foundation for generational change in Indian politics. His vision extended beyond politics to nation-building, with a focus on sustainable development and water resource management.

Nearly two decades ago, Atal Ji envisioned the ambitious river-linking initiative to address India’s water scarcity by connecting rivers and ensuring optimal use of water resources. Today, his dream is materializing in Madhya Pradesh with the groundbreaking of the Ken-Betwa river-linking project, the first of its kind globally, which promises a sustainable solution to water security.

Dr. Yadav expressed joy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he referred to as the modern Bhagirath, is inaugurating this national project in Khajuraho. The Ken-Betwa initiative will transform Bundelkhand, a region blessed with rivers but plagued by water mismanagement, into a prosperous agricultural hub.

The project includes constructing a 77-meter-high, 2.13-kilometer-long Daudhan Dam on the Ken River, along with two tunnels. It will store 2,853 million cubic meters of water, enabling irrigation over 811,000 hectares across 10 districts in Madhya Pradesh, benefiting over 7 million farmers. Additionally, it will provide drinking water to 6.5 million people in Madhya Pradesh and 2.1 million in Uttar Pradesh, while generating 103 MW of hydroelectric power and 27 MW of solar energy.

Dr. Yadav emphasized the project’s transformative impact, stating that it will solve Bundelkhand's dual challenges of drought and floods, bring prosperity to farmers, and curb migration by creating local employment opportunities. The initiative will also preserve 42 historical Chandela-era reservoirs, enhancing groundwater levels and promoting ecological balance.

Madhya Pradesh, a predominantly agrarian state, aims to double its irrigation capacity from 5 million to 10 million hectares. Dr. Yadav is confident that the Ken-Betwa project will help achieve this goal, opening new avenues of progress for Bundelkhand.

In addition to Ken-Betwa, Prime Minister Modi recently inaugurated the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal river-linking project, which includes the construction of 21 dams and barrages. This project will irrigate 613,520 hectares across 3,217 villages in Madhya Pradesh and provide drinking water to 4 million people, showcasing the government’s commitment to water resource management.

Dr. Yadav called the simultaneous inauguration of two river-linking projects a historic moment for Madhya Pradesh, a state now poised to lead in sustainable development. He also highlighted the state’s strides in green energy, with the Omkareshwar floating solar power project on the Narmada River set to boost energy self-reliance.

In conclusion, Dr. Yadav urged citizens to participate in this historic endeavor, which he described as a tribute to Atal Ji's visionary leadership. He lauded Prime Minister Modi and the double-engine government for turning Atal Ji’s dream into reality, ensuring a prosperous future for Madhya Pradesh and the nation.