Dalit Voices in the Ken-Betwa Project: Ensuring Social Justice in India's Largest River-Linking Experiment

The Ken-Betwa River Link Project, while praised for its irrigation potential and ecological impacts, overlooks the significant impact on Dalit communities whose livelihoods depend on the land slated for transformation. Despite the project's aim to reduce regional inequality, it may exacerbate existing socioeconomic inequities if rehabilitation policies primarily target landowners. To ensure socially inclusive growth, the project must consider the loss of jobs, access to resources, and social support systems for Dalit communities. Transparent social impact assessments, comprehensive rehabilitation schemes, and adequate Dalit representation are crucial for the project's success and India's approach to equitable development.