Jaipur, June 29: Rajasthan and Haryana on Monday signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the long pending Yamuna Water Project, clearing the way for implementation of a project that remained pending for nearly 32 years.
The Yamuna Water Project, estimated at Rs 34,102 crore, is expected to strengthen drinking water security across water stressed regions of Rajasthan and support long term regional development.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma described the agreement as a major milestone in water management and said the project reflected the Centre’s focus on water conservation, inter state cooperation and infrastructure development.
Yamuna Water Project to Supply Rajasthan Water Share
Under the project, Rajasthan will receive its allocated 577 million cubic metres of Yamuna water. The water will be transported from Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana to Hansiyawas Reservoir in Churu district.
The transfer system will include an underground pipeline network extending around 295.5 kilometres.
Officials said the project includes three underground pipelines of 3.6 metre diameter, inspection roads, artificial reservoirs and a modern water management network.
The infrastructure is also planned to provide drinking water access to ten locations in Haryana, making the project beneficial for both states.
The Rajasthan government has completed the Detailed Project Report and submitted it through the Central Water Commission platform. Haryana has already granted in principle approval for the pipeline alignment.
A Special Purpose Vehicle named Rajasthan Haryana Yamuna Water Project SPV will oversee implementation, construction, operations and maintenance.
The Rajasthan government expects the project to improve water availability and support economic and industrial growth, especially in the Shekhawati region.
