Yamuna Water Agreement Why in the news ? - Recently, Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma reviewed the progress of Yamuna Water Agreement at the Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute in Pilani. The second joint meeting of the task force of both the states was held in Hisar on 25 April. About Yamuna Water Agreement - In 1994, on the initiative of the Central Government, an agreement was reached between five states Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi regarding the sharing of Yamuna river water. According to this agreement, 1917 cusecs of water was to be made available to Rajasthan from Tajewala Head (now Hathnikund Barrage) every year during the monsoon period. But there was a deadlock for 30 years to bring the allotted water to Rajasthan. To fulfill the years-old demand of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu districts, an agreement was reached on 17 February 2024 in the presence of the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Haryana and the Union Water Power Minister. According to the agreement, Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan will get 577 million cubic meters of water and in the first phase, it was agreed to jointly prepare a DPR of the flow system to bring water from Tajewala Head (Hathini Kund Barrage) to Rajasthan for drinking water. A task force was constituted by the Government of Rajasthan and Haryana to prepare the DPR towards the implementation of this agreement. A meeting was held between Rajasthan and Haryana in Chandigarh on 26 March to prepare a joint DPR. After this, the first joint meeting of the task force of Haryana and Rajasthan was held in Yamunanagar (Haryana) on 07 April. Under the scheme, it is proposed to bring water from Hathinikund Barrage to Hansiyawas reservoir in Churu district through three underground pipelines. 4 available options of flow system were reviewed to bring Yamuna water from Hathinikund Barrage. Out of these, the option of 3 pipelines of 253 km length suggested by the Central Water Commission was considered the best. MOU of Renukaji and Lakhwar storage projects in Upper Yamuna Basin (upstream of Hathinikund Barrage) has been done, according to which Rajasthan has paid its share amount of Rs. 77 crore 90 lakh to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. MOU of Kishau is pending. After completion of these projects, 201 MCM water of Rajasthan's share at Hathinikund Barrage will be available to Rajasthan through these pipelines throughout the year after monsoon. In the first phase, water will be available for drinking water supply and other needs in Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu and other areas. In the second phase, irrigation facilities will be available in Churu and Jhunjhunu districts. The estimated cost of this project will be around Rs. 19 thousand crore. For Rajasthan Current Affairs in English- Click Here For Rajasthan Current Affairs in Hindi- Click Here
