State agrees to give excess monsoon water to Rajasthan

Sumedha Sharma

Gurugram, February 17

Haryana has consented to provide excessive water during monsoon to Rajasthan. The issue has been a point of contention for over two decades, since the signing of an MoU on May 12, 1994, allocating water share among the co-basin states.

Issue hanging fire for over two decades

Haryana and Rajasthan have finally signed an agreement to jointly prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the transfer of Rajasthan’s share of the Yamuna waters from Hathnikund in Haryana through underground pipelines, and its subsequent utilisation in parched districts like Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. The MoU was signed after a meeting between CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma today. The meeting was chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

No cut in Delhi’s share: Khattar

Putting to rest speculation that the agreement would impact Delhi’s water share, CM Khattar said Haryana would continue to give its share of Yamuna waters to Delhi, as per an earlier agreement and the order of the Supreme Court. “There will be no reduction in Delhi’s share,” he said.

Shekhawat said the resolution of the long-standing issue would pave the way for the implementation of projects crucial for meeting the drinking water needs of Rajasthan. After deliberations, a consensus was arrived for the joint preparation of DPR for the transfer of water through underground pipelines.

Putting to rest speculation that the agreement would impact the water share of Delhi, Khattar said Haryana would continue to give its share of Yamuna waters to Delhi, as per an earlier agreement and the order of the Supreme Court. “There will be no reduction in Delhi’s share. There is shortage of water in Rajasthan, hence Haryana has signed an MoU with Rajasthan. After the BJP came to power in Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma presented the proposal through the Union Jal Shakti Minister. Officials of both states will prepare an action plan to find out how much excess water is there during monsoon, and through what medium it will be sent to Rajasthan,” said Khattar.

The state governments will finalise the DPR for the transfer of water through underground pipelines during July-October for drinking water supply and other requirements for Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and other districts of Rajasthan after utilisation of full capacity (24,000 cusecs) of the Western Yamuna Canal by Haryana, including Delhi’s share, at Hathnikund under Phase 1 of the project.

Both states shall extend full cooperation in preparation of the DPR within four months, as per the MoU. After construction of three identified storages in Upper Yamuna Basin, namely Renukaji, Lakhwar and Kishau, the corresponding share of Rajasthan at Hathnikund during the rest of the period shall be conveyed through the same system for drinking water and irrigation purpose to the extent possible.

According to an official, one of the key decisions arising from the meeting was the agreement to create facilities for the optimal utilisation of the Yamuna waters by Rajasthan and Haryana as per their allocations specified in the MoU of 1994.