This extra water, estimated at 577 million cubic meters, will be a big help for the dry Shekhawati region, which has faced water shortages for decades. After the meeting, CM Nayab Saini stressed on cooperative efforts between the two states. He said, “A joint team of officials from both states will soon be formed to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this initiative. The Upper Yamuna River Board will provide technical support for the smooth implementation of the plan.”
The Yamuna water agreement is based on an MoU signed on February 17, 2024, between then Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma, in the presence of then Union Water Power Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Meanwhile, Rajasthan’s CM expressed hope for this initiative. He said, “This agreement will change the Shekhawati region, which has been waiting for Yamuna water for decades. With the formation of the joint team, the wait is over, and work on the DPR will start soon.”
The meeting also discussed issues affecting Haryana. CM Nayab Saini asked for technical help from the Union Water Power Ministry to deal with the ‘sem’ (waterlogging) problem, where groundwater comes to the surface, making farm land swampy and unusable. Union Minister CR Patil assured that a technical team would be sent to Haryana to effectively solve this problem.
The role of the Union Water Power Ministry has been crucial in this agreement between the two states, indicating a cooperative approach to water management in the region. As the joint team begins drafting the DPR, the successful implementation of the Yamuna water agreement could serve as a model for other states facing similar challenges.
