Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat affirmed the Rajasthan government’s dedication to transporting Yamuna water from the Hathinikund Barrage to the Shekhawati region. This significant endeavor, championed by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and backed by the Central Government, achieved a milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Haryana to secure Rajasthan’s water share. Minister Rawat highlighted that, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the MoU between Rajasthan and Haryana was inked on February 17, 2024, under the guidance of the Union Jal Shakti Minister, to develop a joint Detailed Project Report (DPR), with a joint task force established by both states.
The joint DPR is set for submission to the Central Water Commission, with project activities slated to commence in the 2026-27 fiscal year following approvals from various departments. A budget provision of Rs 32,000 crore has been allocated for this long-awaited initiative. Minister Rawat stressed the project’s significance in addressing the longstanding water needs of Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu, and neighboring areas over the next three decades, anticipating a notable enhancement in social, educational, economic, and health standards in the region. To ensure year-round water availability, the project envisions constructing three dams in the Yamuna basin above the Hathinikund Barrage, with ongoing work on two dams – Renukaji and Lakhwar.
The Shekhawati region, encompassing Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu districts, is characterized by its painted havelis, vibrant trading communities, and a history of migration to urban centers and overseas. Despite its cultural richness, the region has grappled with chronic water scarcity due to scanty rainfall and declining groundwater levels, relying heavily on tanker deliveries and groundwater extraction. Agriculture, predominantly rain-fed, exposes farmers to drought risks, underscoring the persistent demand for a dependable surface water source like Yamuna water in the area.
