Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an event in Khajuraho on Wednesday, criticized the Congress party for overlooking Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s significant contributions to the enhancement of the nation’s water resources. The occasion marked the foundation-laying ceremony of the Ken-Betwa river linking project in Madhya Pradesh.
In his address, PM Modi emphasized that in the 21st century, only nations equipped with sufficient and effectively managed water resources can thrive. His comments came in the wake of recent controversies surrounding remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Ambedkar, which have sparked widespread protests from the Congress party across the country.
“Ambedkar’s vision and foresight were instrumental in bolstering the country’s water resources, their management, and the construction of dams,” Modi noted. He highlighted Ambedkar’s pivotal role in developing major river valley projects and the establishment of the Central Water Commission.
The Prime Minister remarked, “Yet, the Congress party has consistently ignored the pressing need for water conservation in our country and has failed to acknowledge Ambedkar’s contributions as a water conservationist.” He stressed that addressing water security is one of the top challenges of the 21st century, stating that only countries with adequate water management will progress.
Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in the Khandwa district virtually and laid the foundation for the Daudhan Irrigation Project, a key component of the river linking initiative. During the ceremony, Union Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav presented two urns containing water from the Ken and Betwa rivers to the Prime Minister, who then ceremoniously poured the water over a model of the project to officially commence the river linking work.
Modi also remarked, “The Congress party does not align with good governance,” pointing to delays in governmental projects during the Congress’s previous tenures, some extending up to 35-40 years after their initial announcements. He expressed confidence that the Ken-Betwa river linking project would usher in new prospects for prosperity and happiness in the Bundelkhand region.
The project is expected to provide drinking water to approximately 4.4 million people across ten districts in Madhya Pradesh and 2.1 million in Uttar Pradesh. It aims to aid nearly 718,000 agricultural families in 2,000 villages and will generate 103 MW of hydropower alongside 27 MW of solar energy, according to officials.
On this occasion, PM Modi also unveiled a commemorative stamp and coin honoring the late Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the centenary of his birth. Modi recalled that Vajpayee’s government had introduced the concept of river linking as a potential solution for the country’s irrigation challenges and flood management.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister conducted a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of 1,153 Atal Gram Sewa Sadans, with an investment of ₹437 crore, as part of the Khajuraho event.
