Jaipur: Rajasthan and five other states Tuesday signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Kishau Multipurpose Project at a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, paving the way for implementation of the long-pending project. The MoU was signed by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and the chief ministers of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil.The Kishau Multipurpose Dam is proposed on Tons River, a major tributary of the Yamuna, on the Uttarakhand-Himachal Pradesh border. “The project, estimated to cost around Rs 15,000 crore, will generate 660 MW of hydropower and benefit Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana,” said CM Sharma.Under the revised agreement, 95% of Himachal Pradesh’s allocated water share from the project will be available for Delhi and Rajasthan, while Himachal Pradesh will retain 5% for local use. Of the 95% share, Delhi and Rajasthan will have 75% and 25%, respectively.“Rajasthan will receive 124 million cubic metres (MCM) water from the project. The state plans to bring this water from Hansiwasi in Haryana to Churu through three underground pipeline systems under the Yamuna Water Project. It will help meet drinking water and other requirements in Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu and adjoining areas,” he added.The project is expected to strengthen water security of the Shekhawati region, where the state govt has been pursuing a separate arrangement to bring Yamuna water through underground pipelines. Under the 1994 Yamuna Water Agreement between five states, Rajasthan was allocated 1,917 cusecs (577 MCM) of water from the Tajewala Head during monsoon period. However, the state has not been able to receive its share for the past 32 years due to the absence of a water conveyance system.The Centre will bear 90% of the cost of water component of the Kishau project, with the remaining 10% to be contributed by the partner states. The states will also contribute towards the cost of Himachal Pradesh’s power component in return for its water share being allocated to Rajasthan and Delhi.The Kishau project has been included in the Centre’s list of national projects. Kishau Corporation Ltd will be responsible for its construction, operation and maintenance.The state govt said improved water availability, along with road and air connectivity, tourism and heritage conservation projects, would create opportunities for investment and employment in Shekhawati.
