CM Bhajanlal Sharma Reviews Yamuna Water Project Progress, Orders DPR on Mission Mode

Jaipur : Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma reviewed the progress of the Yamuna Water Agreement on Sunday at the Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute in Pilani. He emphasized that the agreement marks a historic step toward ensuring sufficient water availability in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Once implemented, the project will offer long-term solutions for drinking water and irrigation needs in districts like Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu, and surrounding areas.

In the first phase, water will be supplied for drinking and essential use in these districts, while the second phase will focus on providing irrigation facilities in Churu and Jhunjhunu. The estimated cost of the project stands at approximately ₹19,000 crore.

CM Sharma stated that the Rajasthan government is committed to the effective monitoring and swift implementation of the flow system to bring Yamuna water from the Tajewala Head (Hathnikund Barrage). To facilitate this, a new post of Additional Chief Engineer, Yamuna Water, has been created within the Water Resources Department.

He directed officials to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on a mission mode, ensuring world-class standards. He also suggested involving premier technical institutes like BITS Pilani and IITs in the project.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that a joint task force meeting between Haryana and Rajasthan was held on April 7 in Yamunanagar, where preliminary discussions on ground-level alignment tests took place. Among the four options for water transport reviewed, the Central Water Commission recommended a 253 km-long triple pipeline system as the best option. Field testing will be done with Haryana’s support.

It’s noteworthy that under the 1994 Yamuna Water Agreement between Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi, Rajasthan was allotted 1,917 cusecs (577 MCM annually) of water from the Tajewala Head during the monsoon (July to October). However, the state faced a 30-year delay in accessing this water. Due to the persistent efforts of CM Bhajanlal Sharma, positive intervention from the central government, and cooperation from the Central Water Commission, this deadlock was resolved, leading to a historic agreement on February 17, 2024.

Also present in the review meeting were Water Resources Minister Shri Suresh Singh Rawat, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Shri Avinash Gehlot, Urban Development & Local Self-Government Minister (Independent Charge) Shri Jhabar Singh Khara, Additional Chief Secretary (Water Resources) Shri Abhay Kumar, and senior engineers from Haryana and other departments.