Six states to sign agreement for Renukaji Multipurpose Dam Project on Jan.11

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : An agreement for Renukaji Dam Multipurpose Project will be signed here on January 11, 2019, among six states : Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, in the presence of Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari. All the six Chief Ministers will also be present on the occasion.

In addition to this, a concession agreement will also be signed for Namami Gange projects for the city of Prayagraj under Hybrid Annuity Mode and One City One Operator Concept. The Prayagraj Agreement will be signed between UP Jal Nigam, NMCG, and Prayagraj Water Pvt. Ltd.

Renukaji Multi Purpose Project: Three storage projects are proposed to be constructed on the river Yamuna and two of its tributaries – Tons and Giri in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh of Upper Yamuna Basin. They include Lakhwar project on river Yamuna in Uttarakhand , Kishau on river Tons in Uttarakhand and  Himachal Pradesh, and  Renukaji on river Giri in Himachal Pradesh. These  three projects were identified as National Projects in 2008 under which 90% funding of the cost of irrigation & drinking water component will be provided by the Government of India as central assistance and the rest 10% cost of the irrigation and drinking water component will be borne by the beneficiary states.

Renukaji Dam project has been conceived as a storage project on Giri River (tributary of river Yamuna) in Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh. The project envisages construction of 148 M high rock filled dam for supply of 23 cumec water to Delhi and other basin states. The project will also generate 40 MW of power during peak flow. The project is proposed to be executed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. (HPPCL).

After the construction of the said dam, the flow of river Giri will increase about 110% which will meet the drinking water needs of Delhi & other basin states up to some extent in lean period. Stored water of Renukaji Dam will be used by UP, Haryana & NCT of Delhi from Hathnikund Barrage, by NCT of Delhi  from Wazirabad Barrage, and by UP, Haryana and Rajasthan from Okhla Barrage.

Investigation works in respect of Renukaji dam project was started in 1976. But, due to some unavoidable reasons, the construction works could not be started. The total cost of the project was estimated on Price Level 2015 is Rs 4,596.76 crore of which the cost of irrigation/drinking water component is Rs 4325.43 crores and the cost of power component is Rs 277.33 crore.

The 90% cost of irrigation/drinking water component of the project i.e. Rs 3,892.83 crore will be provided by the Central Govt. and rest 10% of the above cost i.e. Rs 432.54 crore will be provided by the basin States of Haryana, UP/UK, HP, Rajasthan & NCT of Delhi in the proportion as allocated in MoU dated May 12, 1994, signed by the  CMs of the basin states for the allocation of surface water of river Yamuna up to Okhla Barrage, according to a PIB release.