Early environmental nod sought for Saraswati dam in Yamunanagar

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 6

Minister of State for Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria met Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and sought his intervention in expediting environmental clearance for a proposed dam at Adi Badri in Yamunanagar district. Kataria represents the Ambala parliamentary segment.

The project is critical for the success of Haryana Government’s ambitious scheme to revive the mythological Saraswati river. It envisages construction of a dam on the Somb river, a tributary of the Yamuna that flows through the Shivalik ranges. Water from the dam shall be brought to Saraswati reservoir and then released into the river. During the meeting, Kataria apprised the minister of the project’s importance. Besides it being important from a heritage perspective, it is significant for ground water recharge, flood control, fish farming, tourism and recreation for Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Kataria also said the Ministry of Jal Shakti was providing technical assistance to Haryana Government in this regard.