Interstate boundary on Yamuna to get permanent markers

The Public Works Department (PWD) has approved tenders for installing concrete pillars in the Yamuna riverbed to demarcate the interstate boundary between Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in Faridabad and Palwal districts. Spanning nearly 100 kilometres, the Yamuna serves as a natural border between the two states.

Highlights of the project

Budget: ₹10.20 crore (₹8.70 crore for Palwal, ₹1.50 crore for Faridabad)

Number of pillars: 664 (135 in Faridabad, 529 in Palwal)

Pillar dimensions: 70 feet long, to be installed 50 feet deep

Purpose: Permanent resolution of boundary disputes caused by river course changes

Villages affected: 52 along both banks

According to district administration sources, the department has completed the survey and awarded the tender to an agency for execution. While the Detailed Project Report (DPR) estimates the total cost at Rs 10.20 crore, officials note that the final expenditure could vary based on material requirements. Of the total, Rs 8.70 crore is allocated for Palwal and Rs 1.50 crore for Faridabad.

The project involves installing 135 pillars in Faridabad and 529 in Palwal. Each 70-foot-long pillar will be embedded 50 feet deep into the ground to ensure stability and withstand peak water flows. However, the Revenue Department’s inputs will be critical in identifying the exact locations for erecting these pillars.

“The work will begin soon after the Revenue Department provides the required inputs,” said Pradeep Sindhu, executive engineer, PWD Faridabad. Ritesh Yadav, executive engineer, PWD Palwal, confirmed that the Uttar Pradesh Government will collaborate, with pillars being erected alternately and simultaneously on both sides of the river.

The initiative follows a detailed report from the Survey of India, prepared a few months ago to address a long-standing boundary dispute. Changes in the river’s course, particularly during monsoon floods, have often led to confusion over the exact boundary. This has caused disputes among farmers and villagers on either side, who claim ownership of the land.

“There is a pressing need for permanent demarcation to resolve recurring disputes,” said an official. As many as 52 villages lie in close proximity to the riverbanks. Similar poles were installed in the 1970s following recommendations by the Dixit Commission. However, most of these were washed away or damaged over time, reviving the boundary issues.

The project is expected to bring clarity and stability, ensuring fair resolution of land disputes for the affected villagers.