UPSC Prelims 2006 Q116: Current Affairs – Indian Government Schemes & Initiatives
Recently Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh governments signed a Memorandum of
Understanding for the linking of two rivers as a link project. Which are these two rivers?
- (a) Betwa and Chambal
- (b) Betwa and Ken
- (c) Chambal and Son
- (d) Ken and Narmada
Answer: (b) Betwa and Ken
Explanation
River link project between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Betwa and Chambal | Not the linked pair |
| Betwa and Ken | Yes — the Ken-Betwa link |
| Chambal and Son | Not the linked pair |
| Ken and Narmada | Not the linked pair |
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2005 for the Ken-Betwa river link project, both rivers being tributaries of the Yamuna in Bundelkhand.
Answer: (b) Betwa and Ken.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Betwa-Chambal pair is not the link project signed by the two States.
- (b) CORRECT. The Ken-Betwa link was the project covered by the UP-MP MoU.
- (c) Incorrect. Chambal and Son are not the linked pair.
- (d) Incorrect. Ken and Narmada are not the linked pair.
Key point
The Ken-Betwa link is the river interlinking project agreed between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Remember
Ken-Betwa: the UP-MP river link project.
Common mistakes
- Pairing Betwa with Chambal because both are Yamuna tributaries.
- Linking the Narmada with Ken, a peninsular-Gangetic link.
- Forgetting that the project serves the Bundelkhand region.
Exam tip
Ken-Betwa link: Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand water supply.
Sources
- National Water Development Agency — Ken-Betwa link project
- Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India — National Perspective Plan for Water Resources Development (1980)