The Ken-Betwa river-linking initiative that has just got the environment ministry’s nod, if executed properly, will be a shot in the arm for the Centre’s grand river-linking project.

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Such a project can bring about a radical transformation in agriculture, which has been held hostage by the vagaries of nature, and in the lives of people who live in flood-prone zones.

Additionally, according to experts, it will also be instrumental in mitigating climate-change effects. More than 15 years ago, the then NDA government led by AB Vajpayee had first conceived of the idea of linking Ken and Betwa for the sole reason that it would benefit millions of people in central India.

However, certain environmental concerns still persist since 100 sq kilometres of forest land, including 50 sq km in Panna Tiger Reserve, will be eventually submerged, leading to the loss of habitats of big cats and sundry other birds and animals.

It is this fear of damage to wildlife and biodiversity that had held back the project for so long. However, in view of the floods and drought of the past several years, PM Modi’s grand vision of $87 billion-worth of a countrywide river-linking drive assumes critical importance.

It will bring vast swathes of land, to the tune of millions of hectares, under irrigation, thus putting an end to food shortage. Significantly, it will also bring stability to the lives of crores of people who are dispossessed every monsoon due to floods.

Imagine, the Bihar floods in 2017 claimed 514 people and affected the lives of 1.71 crore people. This year has been equally disastrous for Assam, which experienced the worst flooding in 29 years. For North Bengal, too, the rains had unleashed mayhem.