The Ken Betwa river linking project, the first river inter-linking project is due to start since three years, but has had trouble with meeting deadlines largely because of environmental and land acquisition problems.
The project will irrigate large parts of Bundelkhand spanning Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, which has been reeling under drought and farmer death for the last five years.
Three years ago Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh signed a historic accord to link the Ken and Betwa rivers. But nothing has progressed since then.
In Mahoba, the worst affected district of Bundelkhand farmers are dying after five years of drought.
Harsh Chand Member Panchayat Charkhari said, ''We have heard about the project, but as yet no work has begun.''
Nanoo, 80-year-old, once a boatman who ferried passengers across Betwa now makes a living picking coins passengers throw into the river. He hopes the project will bring water to his parched land.
On the main Jhansi-Khajuraho national highway, some 20 kilometers from Jhansi the Ken river will flow into the Betwa river though a canal.
The project has been delayed because of environmental problems because some 450 square kilometers of forest area belonging to the Panna National Park will be submerged.
State government's have not moved fast and lots of clearances are taking time.
India's first river inter linking project has run into trouble after wrangling between Centre and States, also there are four similar projects in the pipeline.
Sandeep Bhushan
ND TV.Com
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