Conceived over half a century ago on Giri River in Himachal Pradesh, the Renuka Ji Dam is finally set to redefine water and energy security across six Indian states
The visionary Renuka Ji Dam project, conceived 58 years ago on Himachal Pradesh’s serene Giri River, is finally transcending decades of delays to emerge as a game-changer. This landmark initiative promises to alleviate Delhi’s chronic water scarcity while energising Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh with sustainable power generation. Beyond its functional benefits, the dam exemplifies federal cooperation and political resolve.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone of this Rs 6,946-crore project on December 27, 2021. Now, with 95 per cent of procedural hurdles cleared, global tenders will soon be floated, paving the way for construction. Cost estimates have surged to Rs 8,262 crore, factoring a 5 per cent annual escalation. Targeted for completion by 2030, with operations commencing in 2032, this project’s progress is critical for Delhi and beyond.
For Delhiites, the dam symbolises the realisation of a 58-year-old aspiration. The stored water will be routed to Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana through the Hathnikund Barrage, further reaching the Wazirabad and Okhla Barrages. Delhi’s water demand exceeds 1,200 million gallons daily (MGD), with severe shortages during summer. The Renuka Ji Dam, promising 275 MGD, will bridge this deficit, bolstering domestic supply, industrial growth, and infrastructure development.
Haryana leads with a 5.73 BCM share (47.82 per cent), contributing Rs 555.95 crore. Uttar Pradesh’s 3.721 BCM (31.05 per cent) follows with Rs 361.04 crore. Rajasthan holds 1.119 BCM (9.34 per cent), contributing Rs108.58 crore. Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Delhi contribute Rs 36.67 crore, Rs 30.17 crore, and Rs 70.25 crore, respectively. Uttarakhand’s share of water in the upper Yamuna basin is 0.311 BCM, which constitutes 2.60Rs30.17 crore of the total share. Together, the states allocate Rs 1,162.66 crore for this critical project.
Originally slated to showcase progress before Delhi’s 2025 Assembly elections, the dam faced delays, pushing construction timelines by 5-6 months. Intervention by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) could expedite design approvals and tendering. Local tensions remain high. The Jan Sangharsh Samiti criticised project authorities for inadequate rehabilitation efforts, including compensation gaps for displaced families. Activists demand higher pay-outs aligned with Public Works Department estimates, claiming the current compensation is insufficient. Harikesh Meena, Managing Director of HP Power Corporation, refutes these allegations, stating Rs 1,573 crore has been disbursed, with 90 houseless families offered relocation options.
Himachal Pradesh is set to gain 200 million units of electricity annually, worth Rs 66 crore. Delhi has already transferred Rs 270 crore, funding 90 per cent of the Rs 300-crore power machinery cost, underscoring the project’s importance.
Renuka ji, nestled in Himachal’s Sirmaur district, is ideal for the dam due to its geographical and hydrological advantages. The Giri River, a Yamuna tributary, ensures a steady water flow.
The site also holds immense cultural significance. Named after Goddess Renuka, the mother of Parashurama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu), the area is steeped in mythology. Renuka Lake, India’s largest natural lake, draws pilgrims year-round. Ancient temples dedicated to Goddess Renuka and Lord Parashurama further enhance its spiritual and historical value. The project blends technological ambition with religious reverence, ready to address Delhi’s water woes and power needs for generations.
The Rs 8,262.28-crore Renuka Ji Dam project, a 148-meter-high rock-filled structure, will transform water and power availability across six states. Submerging 1,508 hectares and displacing 7,000 residents, including 346 houseless families, the project spans 41 villages across 25 panchayats.
Proposed in 1976, the dam faced decades of procedural hurdles. Initially estimated at Rs 4,596 crore in 2015, costs have ballooned. A significant milestone was achieved in January 2019, when a MoU among the six beneficiary states, brokered by then Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, resolved water-sharing disputes. In 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Modi, approved financial support, pushing the project into execution mode.
Located near Dadahu village, the dam will store 498 million cubic meters of water, routed to Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan via key barrages. As part of the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, it will deliver 23,000 litres per second to Delhi. Additionally, incidental hydroelectric power generation (40 MW) will earn Himachal Rs120 crore annually.
Technical Experts predict a 110 per cent increase in the Giri River’s flow, ensuring reliable water supplies during lean periods. Despite challenges faced by displaced communities, the Renuka Ji Dam promises long-term benefits: improved water security for Delhi, agricultural irrigation, and energy generation marking it a milestone in cooperative federalism and infrastructure development.
Despite its potential, the project’s journey was fraught with challenges. Environmental concerns, inter-state disputes, land acquisition hurdles, and funding delays plagued progress. Securing environmental clearances was a monumental task. Forested landscapes raised alarms over wildlife displacement and green cover submergence. Years of negotiations and compensatory afforestation plans eventually paved the way.
Inter-state discord over water-sharing ratios and financial contributions delayed progress. Himachal Pradesh had to acquire 1,477 hectares of land, including 909 hectares of forest. Protests and legal battles over compensation and rehabilitation compounded delays until enhanced packages and livelihood restoration initiatives placated affected communities. The project’s escalating cost was another sticking point. Initially pegged at Rs 3,600 crore, delays ballooned the budget to Rs 6,946 crore by 2021.
Financial deadlock broke when the central government agreed to fund 90 per cent of the cost under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). This eased the financial burden on states, with Delhi swiftly sanctioning Rs 1,066 crore as its share.
The central government played a crucial role in reviving the project. Integrating it into initiatives like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), underscored the dam’s importance. Accelerated clearances, robust mediation, and funding commitments demonstrated political resolve. With construction set to commence by mid-2025 and completion targeted for 2032, strict oversight will ensure timely execution.
The Renuka Ji Dam epitomises cooperative federalism at its finest-where the centre and states unite to tackle shared challenges. For Himachal Pradesh, it heralds economic growth, energy self-sufficiency, and enhanced infrastructure. For Delhi, it is a lifeline, promising a reliable solution to its chronic water crisis. Beyond immediate benefits, the dam’s capacity to regulate river flow and mitigate downstream flooding enhances its value as a climate-resilient infrastructure.
As a testament to sustainable development, the Renuka Ji Dam underscores the synergy of political will, inter-state collaboration, and community engagement in overcoming complex challenges. By transforming Himachal Pradesh into a green energy hub and securing Delhi’s water needs, the project exemplifies inclusive growth and environmental stewardship.
(Writer is a senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist based in Shimla; views are personal)
