Raisen (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 10 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday announced that the state is set to benefit significantly from the Ken-Betwa river linking project. This groundbreaking initiative will bring substantial advantages to farmers in Raisen and Vidisha districts.

Speaking at a public event, MP CM Yadav said, '...When our government was formed with your (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) and Modi ji's blessings, we were working in all areas... Now, a big benefit is going to be received from the Ken-Betwa river linking project; this is the world's first river linking scheme, in which farmers of Raisen district and Vidisha district will also get benefit...'

This project, the world's first river linking scheme, aims to harness the water resources of the Ken and Betwa rivers, providing much-needed irrigation support to the region's agricultural sector. The project involves transferring surplus water from one river basin to another, ensuring optimal utilisation of water resources.

The project will ensure a steady water supply, enabling farmers to cultivate their land more effectively and increase crop yields.

By providing reliable irrigation, the project is expected to boost agricultural productivity and contribute to the region's economic growth.

The Ken-Betwa river linking project will help manage water resources more efficiently, reducing the impact of droughts and floods in the region.

Earlier in December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa river linking national project, the country's first interlinking of rivers project under the national perspective plan. This project will provide irrigation facilities to various districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, benefiting lakhs of farmer families.

The project will also provide drinking water facilities to the people of the region. Along with this, the hydropower projects will contribute more than 100 MW of green energy. The project will also create numerous employment opportunities and strengthen the rural economy.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the same event, praised Madhya Pradesh's rapid development and envisioned it as a 'Modern Pradesh'. At the foundation stone ceremony of the new rail coach factory project 'BRAHMA', he highlighted the symbolic name and expressed confidence that the factory will boost the state's industrial growth.

He called the BEML's Greenfield Rail Manufacturing facility (BRAHMA) a key step in boosting India's industrial and defence self-reliance.

The unit will manufacture advanced rolling stock for domestic and export markets, create over 5,000 jobs, and is expected to catalyse local supply chains in the state's industrial belt.

Addressing the gathering, Singh called initiatives like BRAHMA critical in building the industrial and technological base needed for both national security and economic growth.

The Defence Minister said, 'Seeing the development of Madhya Pradesh, I can say that in the coming years, Madhya Pradesh will be known as Modern Pradesh... Today, at the rail coach factory whose foundation stone was laid, I saw that you have named it 'Brahma'. Naming this unit after the creator is, in itself, a very wonderful suggestion. I am fully confident that this unit, drawing inspiration from its name and realising it, will reach new heights in the matter of product manufacturing.'

He further added, 'There are some people who are not happy with the speed at which India is developing. They are not liking it. 'Sabke boss toh hum hain', how is India growing at such a fast pace? Many are trying to make products made in India, by Indians, more expensive than those from other countries, hoping that when the prices rise, the world will stop buying them. This effort is being made. But India is progressing so fast; I say with full confidence that now no power in the world can stop India from becoming a big power of the world...' (ANI)