The chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana have formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the Kishau multipurpose project. This milestone was achieved on September 15, 2026, in New Delhi, during an event attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This agreement aims to foster inter-state collaboration regarding water resource development in the upper Yamuna basin, marking a significant step forward.

In total, nearly 28 MoAs were executed among the six states along with the Central Government. This MoA represents the third agreement on water-related construction projects in the region, following prior agreements on the Renuka ji and Lakhwar multipurpose projects, which are currently under construction. The meeting lasted approximately one hour and included high-level representatives from various governmental departments.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil and other key officials, including the Union Home Secretary and several chief secretaries from the states involved, were present during this significant gathering, reflecting a commitment to cooperative federalism in addressing water resource challenges.

Significance of the Kishau Project

The Kishau multipurpose project is proposed to be built on the River Tons, a principal tributary of the Yamuna River, situated in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district and Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district. The project plans to construct a concrete gravity dam, measuring 232.6 metres in height and promising a live storage capacity of 1,562 million cubic metres (MCM).

This initiative is expected to deliver irrigation benefits across nearly 0.97 lakh hectares of agricultural land, alongside an anticipated annual energy generation of around 1,476 million units. The reservoir will also play a crucial role in rejuvenating the Yamuna River and meeting drinking and industrial water needs, especially in Rajasthan and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Overall, the aim is to enhance water security in the region while ensuring the sustainable and optimal use of the upper Yamuna basin’s water resources. The project will be executed by Kishau Corporation Limited, a joint venture involving both the Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments.

Background and Funding Framework

The understanding to share the usable surface water of the Yamuna was formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 12, 1994. This earlier agreement acknowledged the necessity for creating storage projects within the upper Yamuna basin to maximise the river’s surface flows. It stipulated that separate agreements be established for each identified storage initiative based on the shared water allocation.

This recent MoA comes almost three months after a pivotal meeting held on June 16, where consensus was reached regarding the Kishau multipurpose dam project. The gathering, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, prompted the states involved to agree on a joint initiative for the project aimed at the rejuvenation of the Yamuna.

Following the MoA’s signing, the project will be presented to the Union Cabinet for approval. The financial arrangement stipulates that the Central Government will bear 90 per cent of the cost associated with the water component, while the remaining 10 per cent will be jointly covered by the participating states.

Additionally, a consensus has been reached to allow Himachal Pradesh’s water share to be allocated to Delhi and Rajasthan in exchange for their financial contribution towards the power component of the project. This collaborative effort is expected to significantly enhance the flow of clean water into the Yamuna River, contributing to its revitalisation.

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