On 10 September 2025, protests erupted in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh against the proposed dam under the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project, now known as the Ramjal Setu Link Project (RSLP). The protest saw participation of villagers from multiple hamlets.
Initially, a dam was proposed at Deetlawada in the Assembly constituency. However, due to unspecified issues, the proposed site was shifted to Ghatakhedi, triggering protests. Residents argue that fertile and irrigated lands, which have sustained generations of farmers, are being sacrificed for water to reach barren areas outside the state. They have made it clear that they will not give up their land at any cost, demanding that smaller, local stop dams be constructed instead of large dams that could submerge entire villages.
The PKC project, which connects the Parvati, Kuno, Kalisindh, Chambal, Shipra, and their tributary rivers, all originating in Madhya Pradesh, is a large-scale water management initiative. The project, formally launched in December 2024, was backed by a three-way memorandum of understanding between Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, signed in Jaipur in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to official plans, the project is expected to irrigate 6.13 lakh hectares of land across 3,150 villages in Madhya Pradesh, stretching from the Chambal region to the Malwa region. It is also projected to provide drinking water to 11 districts, including Guna, Shivpuri, Sehore, Dewas, Rajgarh, Ujjain, Agar-Malwa, Indore, Shajapur, Mandsaur, and Morena. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 72,000 crore, with 21 dams and reservoirs designed to store up to 1,908.83 million cubic meters of water, including 172 million cubic meters reserved for drinking purposes to serve both villages and industries.
Despite the potential benefits outlined by authorities, the local response has been overwhelmingly negative. The proposed Ghatakhedi dam is expected to directly affect around 5411 families, or approximately 27,000 people, most of whom depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Around 65 villages are set to be completely submerged, with nearly 17,308 hectares of land impacted. Notably, about 70 percent of the affected land is irrigated farmland, which is vital for sustaining local agriculture. The dam itself is expected to irrigate 97,000 hectares, which project proponents argue is a major developmental gain, but for the affected families, this benefit comes at an enormous personal cost.
During the protest on 10 September 2025, farmers from several villages organised a rally in Binaganj and reiterated their preference for smaller, decentralised water projects. Villagers across the region have joined in, declaring that the project threatens not just their land but the very foundation of their lives. Many residents drew comparisons with Harsud, a town submerged in 2004 due to dam construction, expressing fears that Ghatakhedi and surrounding villages could face a similar fate. For the local communities, the PKC project is not seen as development; it is seen as a direct threat to their homes, livelihoods, and heritage.
Protests continue at multiple sites across the Guna district, with villagers united in their determination to protect their land. Their collective message is clear: while water for agriculture and drinking is essential, it should not come at the cost of submerging thriving communities. The ongoing demonstrations highlight the tensions between large-scale water management projects and local livelihoods, reflecting broader debates about development, displacement, and environmental justice in India.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Refusal to give up land for the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for alternatives route and modifications to the proposed plan.
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Non-Forest (Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
2031
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Grazing, Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Water bodies, Fishing, Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
No
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
72000
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2024
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Land Acquisition Laws, Environmental Law
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Controversial land acquisition by the government
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Violation of free prior informed consent
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), GoI, National Water Development Agency (NWDA), Central Water Commission (CWC), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), Water Resources Department, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, and Water Resources Department, Govt. of Rajasthan
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
NWDA (autonomous under MoJS, functions like a PSU) and possible involvement of state irrigation corporations (e.g., Madhya Pradesh Water Resources Development Corporation, if engaged)
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Farmers’ groups in Rajgarh, Guna, Sheopur (MP); Affected Gram Sabhas under PESA Act; and Villagers’ committees opposing displacement and loss of agricultural land
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
