The governments of Rajasthan and Haryana signed a significant agreement for the construction and implementation of the Yamuna Water Project in the presence of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah. This agreement resolves a nearly three-decade-old water dispute between the two states and represents the implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mantras of 'Solution through Dialogue' and 'Cooperative Federalism'.
The project involves supplying approximately 580 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of water annually from the Yamuna Canal to Rajasthan through three underground pipelines with a diameter exceeding 3.6 meters. The water supply will occur from July to October each year, utilizing Rajasthan's allocated share of Yamuna waters as per the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding on sharing of utilisable surface waters of the Upper Yamuna Basin.
The agreement provides comprehensive framework covering financial responsibilities, cost-sharing arrangements, water allocation protocols, water release procedures, and maintenance arrangements. It also includes detailed provisions for operation and maintenance of infrastructure, monitoring systems, transparency measures, and a robust dispute resolution mechanism designed to keep the agreement dispute-free for decades to come.
The project will supply drinking water to the districts of Sikar, Churu, and Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, along with the Bhiwani and Fatehabad areas in Haryana. This initiative will address water scarcity in these arid and semi-arid regions, benefiting millions of people by ensuring reliable drinking water supply and supporting socio-economic development. Additionally, the project will enable storage of previously wasted rainwater in large ponds to help recharge groundwater levels in the region.
The agreement was facilitated under the chairmanship of Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, with the Central Water Commission playing a key role in preparing the framework. The coordinated efforts of the Central Government and participating State Governments are expected to ensure timely implementation of the project.