Maharashtra State PSC Model Paper 3

The correct answer is Neither 1 nor 2.

• An expert panel of India’s environment ministry has deferred environment clearance for the Lower Orr Dam, which is part of the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project, and sought fresh data to decide whether a new public hearing is expected for the project or not.
• The Ken-Betwa link project :
  • It envisages diversion of surplus waters of Ken basin to water deficit Betwa basin.
  • It involves submergence of the forest area of the Panna tiger reserve. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • The quantity of water proposed to be diverted from Ken basin, after considering in basin demands and downstream commitments earmarked for providing irrigation in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, is 1020 Mm3.
  • This link canal will provide irrigation to water short areas of upper Betwa basin of Madhya Pradesh by way of substitution and also to enroute areas of Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh.
  • This is the country’s first river interlinking project. It is perceived as a model plan for similar interstate river transfer missions.