A significant breakthrough has been achieved in enhancing water availability in Rajasthan's Shekhawati region. In a meeting of the Upper Yamuna Review Committee, Haryana granted in-principle approval to the proposed alignment from Hathini Kund to Hasiyawas, effectively clearing the path for Yamuna water to reach Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu.
Rajasthan: During the Upper Yamuna Review Committee meeting, chaired by Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil in Noida, the Haryana government granted in-principle approval to the alignment proposed by Rajasthan. This decision has accelerated the plan to supply Yamuna water to the Shekhawati region, covering Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu. According to the alignment prepared by the Rajasthan government, a total pipeline of 300 kilometers is to be laid, with 290 kilometers falling within Haryana and 10 kilometers within Rajasthan.
The alignment survey has already been completed, and a joint task force from both states will now finalize the Detailed Project Report (DPR). This project has the potential to significantly alleviate the drinking water crisis in the drought-prone areas of Shekhawati and is considered a major water management achievement for Rajasthan.
DPR to be sent to Central Water Commission
Following the in-principle approval of the alignment, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will now be submitted to the Central Water Commission. The report will include comprehensive details on the pipeline's structure, water flow capacity, costs, and the shared technical responsibilities of both states. Formal approval for the subsequent phases of the project will be determined based on this report.
It was also informed during the meeting that water from three major dams under construction in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand would also be allocated to Rajasthan. This water from the dams will provide greater stability to the drinking water and irrigation needs of the Shekhawati region in the future, thereby strengthening the water management system.
Presence of States in the Meeting
During the Upper Yamuna Review Committee meeting, Rajasthan's Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat expressed special gratitude to Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Ministers and senior officials from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi also participated in the meeting, further strengthening the inter-state consensus for the project.
In the first phase of the plan, drinking water supply will be ensured for Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and surrounding areas, which have long been grappling with water scarcity. In the second phase, irrigation facilities will be provided to 35,000 hectares of agricultural land in Churu district and 70,000 hectares in Jhunjhunu district. This is expected to bring about significant improvements in Shekhawati's agricultural structure and rural economy.
