32-year-old Yamuna water project moves forward as Rajasthan, Haryana sign agreement
Jaipur, June 29
Rajasthan's long-pending Yamuna Water Project has achieved a historic breakthrough as the Memorandum of Agreement between the Governments of Rajasthan and Haryana was signed in New Delhi on Monday, paving the way for implementation of a project that had remained pending for nearly 32 years.
With an estimated investment of Rs 34,102 crore, the Yamuna Water Project is expected to become a landmark initiative in Rajasthan's water management sector, ensuring long-term drinking water security for several water-scarce regions of the state.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Senior officials from the Central government and both state governments also attended the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said water security is one of the key pillars of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat. He said the Prime Minister's leadership has fostered a new work culture centred on water conservation, efficient water management, and cooperative inter-state partnerships. He described the Yamuna Water Project as another major milestone alongside transformative initiatives such as the Narmada Project, Jal Jeevan Mission, the Ken-Betwa Link Project, and the Ram Jal Setu Link Project.
The Chief Minister expressed special gratitude to Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah for facilitating consensus between Rajasthan and Haryana through sustained dialogue, trust, and coordination, enabling the resolution of a long-standing issue.
He also acknowledged the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, stating that the Ministry's proactive technical and administrative support helped expedite the project in a time-bound manner.
CM Sharma said the successful resolution of a project pending for over three decades demonstrates how strong political will, effective Centre-State coordination, and timely decision-making under the leadership of PM Modi can deliver long-awaited development projects. He cited the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, the Jal Jeevan Mission, and the Yamuna Water Project as notable examples of this approach.
Under the project, Rajasthan's allocated share of 577 million cubic metres (MCM) of Yamuna water will be transported from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana to the Hansiyawas Reservoir in Churu district through an underground pipeline network extending approximately 295.5 kilometres.
The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 34,102 crore. The project includes the construction of three underground pipelines, each with a diameter of 3.6 metres, along with an inspection road, artificial reservoirs, and a modern water management system.
The infrastructure has also been designed to provide drinking water to ten locations in Haryana, making the project beneficial to both states. The Rajasthan government has prepared the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and uploaded it to the Central Water Commission's e-PAMS portal. Haryana has already granted in-principle approval for the proposed pipeline alignment.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), to be known as the Rajasthan-Haryana Yamuna Water Project SPV (RHYW-SPV), will be established for the implementation, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the project would ensure long-term water security for future generations in Rajasthan while providing a significant boost to the socio-economic and industrial development of water-stressed regions, particularly Shekhawati.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good news for drought-prone areas of Rajasthan. But I hope this doesn't come at the cost of Haryana's farmers. Already there is water scarcity in both states. The underground pipeline design sounds modern, but maintenance in desert areas will be a challenge. Let's see if the SPV model works. At least after 32 years, some movement!
Bhai, Yamuna ka paani toh already Delhi aur UP mein bohot pradushit hai. Kya yeh treated water hoga? Rajasthan ke log bimaar na ho jayen. Aur 34,102 crore ka investment - kya yeh paisa kuch aur projects mein better use ho sakta tha? Desert mein itni badi pipeline - maintenance ka bhi sochna hoga.
Impressive that a project stuck for three decades is finally moving. The cooperative federalism approach between Rajasthan and Haryana is commendable. However, Rs 34,102 crore is a massive sum - nearly $4 billion USD. The environmental impact assessment must be thorough before such an extensive underground pipeline network disturbs the ecosystem. Also, ensuring this doesn't deplete the Yamuna's flow downstream is critical.
The Shekhawati region has been suffering from water scarcity for decades. My grandparents used to say that during summers, they had to walk miles for water. If this project delivers on its promise, it will transform lives. But the government should also focus on local rainwater harvesting and traditional baolis (stepwells) revival - don't become too dependent on river water from far away. Balanced approach chahiye!
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