Jaipur: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday stated that the state government is moving forward in mission mode to expedite the long-pending Yamuna water agreement project, calling it a significant step toward enhancing water security and infrastructure development in Rajasthan.
High-Level Meeting in New Delhi
Sharma revealed that he held a high-level meeting in New Delhi with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to discuss the Yamuna water agreement and various inter-state development issues concerning Rajasthan and Haryana.
We had detailed discussions on finalizing timelines and operational guidelines for the Yamuna water pipeline project. Both states agreed to proceed with greater coordination and cooperation to ensure the project is completed as soon as possible, Sharma said after the meeting.
Project Details and Progress
Officials informed that a joint detailed project report (DPR) for the Yamuna water pipeline has already been prepared and shared with the Haryana government. The updated DPR will soon be uploaded on the Central Water Commission’s online portal for technical approval, after which ground-level work is expected to commence.
The project operationalizes provisions of the 1994 Yamuna Water Agreement, under which Rajasthan was allocated 10.4% of Yamuna water. Rajasthan’s share includes approximately 1,917 cusecs of water, equivalent to nearly 577 million cubic meters (MCM) annually during the July-October monsoon period, from the Hathnikund Barrage.
Breaking a Decades-Long Deadlock
Officials noted that the agreement signed between Rajasthan and Haryana on February 17, 2024, resolved a deadlock of nearly three decades. Under the first phase, a nearly 265-kilometer underground pipeline network is proposed to transport surplus monsoon water to Rajasthan’s drought-prone Shekhawati region, including Churu, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu districts. The Rajasthan-side infrastructure is estimated to cost around ₹32,000 crore.
Additional Infrastructure Projects
Sharma also stated that both states agreed to accelerate the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project connecting Rajasthan to Delhi through Haryana. The proposed Delhi-Alwar corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity and economic activity in the region.
The chief minister added that discussions were held on resolving the recurring waterlogging problem in Bhiwadi and strengthening inter-state coordination on drainage and urban infrastructure issues.
