On Wednesday, the agreement for the Renukaji Dam Multipurpose Project was signed between the Government of India and the five states involved in the project. The $2.5 billion project, which has been in the works for over a decade, is expected to provide water to the states of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as generate electricity for the region.
The Renukaji Dam, located in the Himalayan foothills in Himachal Pradesh, will be raised by 17 meters to increase its storage capacity. This will enable the dam to hold up to 1,037 million cubic meters of water, up from its current capacity of 0.404 million cubic meters. The project will also involve the construction of a new dam, the Kishau Dam, on the Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna River, to provide additional storage capacity.
The project is expected to provide water to the states of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, which have been facing acute water shortages in recent years. The project will also provide irrigation water to the states of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, which will help boost the agricultural sector in these states.
Moreover, the project will generate 660 MW of electricity, which will be shared by the five states involved in the project. This will help meet the growing demand for electricity in the region and is expected to contribute to the country`s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
The signing of the agreement marks a significant milestone for the project, which has been delayed several times due to various reasons, including land acquisition and environmental concerns. The project is expected to be completed in six years.
In conclusion, the Renukaji Dam Multipurpose Project is a crucial infrastructure project that will provide water and electricity to the states of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. The project will not only provide relief to the regions suffering from water shortages but will also contribute to the country`s efforts towards sustainable development.