Six States Agree to Sign MoU for Kishau Multi-Purpose Dam Project

Six states—Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh—have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the KishaMulti-Purpose Dam Project on the Tons River, a major tributary of the Yamuna River. The decision was taken during a meeting convened by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to resolve long-pending issues related to water sharing and power generation.

The project is expected to enhance water availability, irrigation, hydropower generation, and flood moderation in the Yamuna Basin region, benefiting multiple northern Indian states.

Key Features of the KishaDam Project

Location

Proposed on the Tons River.

Situated on the border of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Tons River is the largest tributary of the Yamuna River.

Multipurpose Objectives

The project aims to:

Generate hydroelectric power.

Provide irrigation benefits.

Ensure drinking water supply.

Improve water storage capacity.

Assist in flood control and river basin management.

Hydropower Generation

Installed Capacity: 660 MW

Expected Annual Generation: Around 1,379 Million Units (MU) of electricity.

About the Tons River

Largest tributary of the Yamuna River.

Originates in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Flows through Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Joins the Yamuna near Kalsi (Uttarakhand).

About the Yamuna River

Largest tributary of the Ganga River.

Origin: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarakhand.

Total Length: Approximately 1,376 km.

Flows through:

Uttarakhand

Himachal Pradesh

Haryana

Delhi

Uttar Pradesh

Technical Details of KishaDam

Dam Type: Concrete Gravity Dam

Height: Approximately 236 metres

Live Storage Capacity: Around 1,324 Million Cubic Metres (MCM)

Stakeholder States:

Uttarakhand

Himachal Pradesh

Haryana

Delhi

Rajasthan

Uttar Pradesh

Other Major Yamuna Basin Projects:

Lakhwar-Vyasi Project:

Located in Uttarakhand.

Multi-purpose project for water storage and hydropower generation.

Renukaji Dam Project:

Located in Himachal Pradesh.

Intended to augment drinking water supply to Delhi and neighboring regions.

Exam Focus Points (Quick Revision Notes)

Project → KishaMulti-Purpose Dam Project

River → Tons River

Tributary Of → Yamuna River

Location → Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh Border

Installed Capacity → 660 MW

Stakeholder States → Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh

Ministry Involved → Ministry of Jal Shakti

Key Benefit → Water Storage, Irrigation, Hydropower & Flood Control

Concept Highlighted → Cooperative Federalism