Bhopal: The Ken-Betwa Link Project in Madhya Pradesh has come under renewed political and public scrutiny over displacement, compensation and rehabilitation. The debate intensified after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi backed protesting tribal communities in Bundelkhand.
At the same time, the Centre has said allegations that affected families have not received compensation or rehabilitation benefits are misleading, while acknowledging that representations concerning displacement have been received and forwarded to the Madhya Pradesh government for examination.
Government Figures Show Major Compensation Disbursal
According to the government’s latest figures, ₹590.74 crore out of ₹629.87 crore awarded to 5,039 affected families had been disbursed as of July 2026, representing 93.78% of the awarded amount. The remaining cases are linked to legal and administrative procedures.
The rehabilitation process is being implemented under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, along with Madhya Pradesh’s special rehabilitation package.
For eligible families, the compensation and rehabilitation package includes financial assistance and support for residential plots, depending on the applicable category. The government has maintained that the process is being carried out under statutory provisions.
Read Also: Beyond Traditional Farming: CM Yadav Calls for Diversification in MP
Tribal Rehabilitation Remains a Key Concern
The issue is particularly significant for tribal communities living in the project-affected areas.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs informed Parliament that the original Phase-I rehabilitation plan covered 1,913 project-affected families, including 648 Scheduled Tribe families, with a total affected population of 8,339.
The ministry has also received representations concerning displacement. These complaints were forwarded to the Madhya Pradesh government and district administrations for examination, as implementation of the Forest Rights Act falls under the state governments and Union Territories.
This means the rehabilitation debate is not simply about whether compensation has been announced, but also about whether every eligible family has been correctly identified and whether statutory rights and rehabilitation requirements have been fully addressed.
Fresh Verification Is Important
The Madhya Pradesh administration has been taking steps to address complaints relating to compensation and rehabilitation lists.
Fresh verification and grievance-resolution exercises are significant because disputes can arise when families are left out of beneficiary lists, when household circumstances change, or when people become eligible after the original cut-off date.
The Centre has said the remaining compensation and rehabilitation cases are being dealt with through the required legal and administrative process.
Environmental Safeguards Also Under Scrutiny
The project has faced considerable environmental criticism because of its impact on forest land and the Panna Tiger Reserve.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted Stage-II approvals for two proposals linked to the project. The approvals include conditions requiring implementation of the rehabilitation and resettlement plan and compliance with the Forest Rights Act before forest land is handed over for project use.
The government has also emphasised wildlife-management measures and environmental safeguards as part of the project implementation.
Why the Project Matters to Bundelkhand
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is designed to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River and provide irrigation, drinking water and power benefits to the Bundelkhand region.
According to the Centre, the project is expected to provide irrigation to 10.62 lakh hectares, drinking water to nearly 62 lakh people and generate 103 MW of hydropower.
The project is therefore being presented as a major infrastructure intervention for a region that has long faced water and agricultural challenges.
Development Versus Rehabilitation
The dispute highlights the challenge of balancing the Ken-Betwa Project’s development goals with the rights of affected communities. While the government focuses on irrigation and regional development, families continue to seek fair compensation, land, livelihoods and proper rehabilitation.
As protests continue, the project’s credibility will depend on resolving grievances and ensuring eligible families are not left behind.
Read Also: Madhya Pradesh: CM Mohan Yadav Reviews Ujjain Road Projects Ahead of Simhastha 2028
