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Ken–Betwa Dam Work Halted for Sixth Day as Tribal Protest Hardens

Officials say most payouts are complete under current law.

Overview

  • Work at the Dhodhan dam site remained suspended Friday, marking the sixth straight day of stoppage under the Ken–Betwa river link.
  • Protesters escalated their tactics after Thursday's attempt to reach Delhi that organizers say police stopped, with women and children lying on mock funeral pyres at the site.
  • Demonstrators demand ₹12.5 lakh per displaced family and stronger rehabilitation, alleging uneven payouts and insisting talks be held with the divisional commissioner.
  • Authorities enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 and set checkpoints near Bhusor Naka, while the district collector said about 90% of compensation is paid and many demands fall outside the land acquisition law.
  • The Ken–Betwa plan includes a 77‑metre dam on the Ken, a 221‑km canal and a 2‑km tunnel to move water to the Betwa, affecting residents in more than 40 villages in the submergence zone.