New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough for Rajasthan’s water-scarce Shekhawati region, Rajasthan and Haryana have reached an agreement on the long-awaited Yamuna water supply project during a high-level meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The marathon meeting, which began at the residence of Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
The leaders discussed multiple technical and administrative aspects related to Yamuna water sharing, pipeline construction, irrigation coordination, and inter-state water resource management.
The agreement is being viewed as a major step toward addressing the chronic drinking water crisis in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati belt.
300-Kilometre Pipeline Planned for Water Supply
Under the ambitious project, Yamuna water will be transported to the Shekhawati region through an approximately 300-kilometre-long pipeline network.
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According to the alignment survey completed for the project:
- Around 290 kilometres of the pipeline will pass through Haryana territory.
- Nearly 10 kilometres of the pipeline will fall within Rajasthan.
Officials said Rajasthan has already submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the scheme to the Central Water Commission.
With consensus now achieved between both states, groundwork for the pipeline project is expected to move forward at an accelerated pace.
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Project Expected to Ease Water Crisis in Shekhawati
The proposed Yamuna water project is expected to bring major relief to residents of Rajasthan’s drought-prone Shekhawati region, which frequently faces severe drinking water shortages and falling groundwater levels.
Experts believe the project could help:
- Improve drinking water availability in urban and rural areas
- Reduce dependence on rapidly depleting groundwater reserves
- Strengthen long-term water sustainability in the region
- Support future irrigation and infrastructure development
The announcement has generated optimism among residents, especially in districts where water scarcity intensifies during the summer months.
RRTS and Dam Project Also Discussed
After the meeting, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that apart from the Yamuna water issue, pending concerns related to the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) were also discussed and resolved through mutual coordination.
He further stated that talks were held regarding a special dam project that could help address drinking water requirements of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi simultaneously.
Officials, however, have not yet released detailed technical specifications or timelines regarding the proposed dam infrastructure.
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Bhajan Lal Sharma References PM Modi’s Resource Conservation Appeal
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for simplicity and resource conservation in governance.
He stated that chief ministers are working in line with the Prime Minister’s guidelines to minimize unnecessary expenditure and optimize resource use.
Bhajan Lal Sharma remarked that even during the Delhi visit, efforts were made to limit the number of vehicles in official convoys as part of this approach.
Strategic Importance of the Agreement
Water experts and administrative officials are viewing the agreement as strategically important for Rajasthan’s long-term water security planning.
The Shekhawati region has historically remained dependent on groundwater extraction and seasonal water supply arrangements. The Yamuna linkage project is expected to become one of the most important inter-state drinking water initiatives for Rajasthan in recent years.
Further technical clearances, budget approvals, and execution schedules are expected to be finalized in the coming months.
