The States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and NCT of Delhi have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 12.05.1994 regarding allocation of surface flow of river Yamuna up to Okhla. Share of Rajasthan as per said MoU is 1.119 BCM through Okhla Barrage and Tajewala Head.

Government of Rajasthan prepared a Preliminary Feasibility Report on Transfer of it’s share of water of 1917 cusecs during July-October at Tajewala Head-works and submitted it to Central Water Commission (CWC) in July, 2017 with provisions of underground conveyance system. In-principle consent for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) was accorded by CWC in February, 2018. In the 7th meeting of Upper Yamuna Review Committee (UYRC) under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister (WR, RD & GR) held on15.02.2018, the State of Rajasthan was also advised to prepare the DPR for transfer of Rajasthan’s share in Yamuna Water at Tajewala Headworks. Accordingly, Rajasthan submitted the DPR titled “Transfer of Rajasthan share of Yamuna water at Tajewala Headworks to Churu and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan by underground conveyance system” at an estimated cost of Rs. 23965.85 crores to CWC in February, 2019. Subsequently, Govt. of Rajasthan contemplated implementation of the project in phases, whereby the drinking water component is proposed to be taken up as first phase and the irrigation part in the second phase. Accordingly, the revised DPR has been submitted to CWC in January, 2021.

Govt. of Haryana during October, 2020 and subsequently in October, 2021 has conveyed observations on the proposal and suggested other alternatives for the drawl of share of Rajasthan either from Mawi (Panipat) by constructing a barrage and open channels from Mawi to the border of Rajasthan or create a pipeline conveyance system directly from Okhla instead of Tajewala Headworks for carrying its complete share of water from Okhla itself. The same was not acceptable to Rajasthan.

Chairman, Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) held a meeting in March 2022 with Haryana & Rajasthan for building consensus on the issue and a Technical Committee was formed to examine the availability of water at Tajewala & Okhla head and feasibility of carrying the share of Rajasthan from various points (Tajewala, Mawi & Okhla) under the chairmanship of Member Secretary, UYRB with members from the State of Haryana, Rajasthan, UP & CWC. So far, eight meetings of the Technical Committee have been held.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

 

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AS

(Release ID: 1987819)