Vajpayee’s dream comes true

Blitz Bureau

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on December 25 laid the foundation stone country’s first ambitious and multipurpose Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, he said for the BJP, good governance is not a one-day event but it is the identity of its governments. He said BJP governments have always worked hard on every parameter for good governance and dedication towards the people.

The event marked the 100th birth anniversary celebration of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The day is observed as Good Governance Day every year. PM Modi said that Atal ji has always been “our source of inspiration for good governance and good service”.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patel were also present at the event. The Prime Minister also inaugurated country’s first Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project and performed Bhoomi Pujan of over 1,100 Atal Gram Sushasan Bhawans. He also released a stamp and coin in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The cost of Ken-Betwa project is Rs 44,605 crores. Ninety per cent of the project expenditure will be borne by the Central Government and 10 per cent by the respective State Governments.

This project will provide irrigation facilities in more than 8 lakh hectares of area. More than 7 lakh farmer families of 2,000 villages in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh will also be benefited. The project will also provide drinking water facility to 44 lakh population of 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh. It will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.

The project will also provide irrigation facilities in more than 2.51 lakh hectares and drinking water facility to 21 lakh population of Uttar Pradesh. Most importantly, it will improve the condition of ground water level in the drought- prone Bundelkhand region, promote industrialisation, increase investment and tourism and provide employment opportunities.