In a significant step towards resolving a long-pending inter-state water issue, the governments of Haryana and Rajasthan have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction and implementation of the Yamuna Water Project. The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, marking a major breakthrough in the implementation of the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board water-sharing arrangement.
The agreement aims to ensure the transfer of Rajasthan’s allocated share of Yamuna River water through a dedicated underground pipeline network. The project is expected to strengthen drinking water supply in several districts of both Haryana and Rajasthan while addressing a water-sharing issue that has remained unresolved for nearly three decades.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, and senior officials from both state governments attended the signing ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Amit Shah described the agreement as a landmark achievement in cooperative federalism and said it reflects the Centre’s commitment to resolving long-pending disputes through dialogue and consensus.
According to officials, the Yamuna Water Project will involve the construction of nearly 300 kilometres of underground pipelines to transport Rajasthan’s allocated share of water from the Yamuna Canal. The infrastructure is expected to improve access to drinking water in water-scarce regions, particularly in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati belt, while also benefiting several areas in Haryana.
The project is estimated to cost over ₹34,000 crore and is regarded as one of the largest interstate drinking water initiatives in northern India. The agreement clears the way for the execution of provisions outlined in the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board pact, which governs the sharing of Yamuna waters among basin states.
Officials believe the implementation of the Yamuna Water Project will not only enhance water security but also support regional development by ensuring a reliable supply of drinking water for millions of people. The agreement is expected to serve as a model for cooperative management of shared water resources and strengthen collaboration between neighbouring states on critical infrastructure projects.
