Centre’s expert team greenlights tunnel designs for Renukaji Dam
The Renukaji Dam Project, a long-awaited initiative to address water scarcity and enhance hydropower generation in northern India, has taken a significant step forward with the successful completion of an on-site inspection by a team of experts from four Central Government institutions. The inspection, which focused on the design and planning of three vital tunnels to divert the Giri river’s flow, marks a crucial milestone for the project.
The expert delegation, comprising specialists from the Central Water Commission (CWC), Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB), Geological Survey of India (GSI), and Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS), along with 17 other key departments team members has now finalised the design for the tunnels. These tunnels are integral to diverting the flow of the Giri river, a critical prerequisite for the construction of the Renukaji Dam. The successful inspection has provided the necessary groundwork for the forthcoming construction phases of the project.
Sources close to the project suggest that tenders for the tunnel construction will be invited in the coming months, marking the next key step in the dam’s development. The finalised designs ensure that the project aligns with both structural and environmental requirements, addressing concerns related to the river’s ecosystem and the surrounding areas.
The Renukaji Dam Project is not only an engineering and environmental undertaking but also a model of interstate cooperation. The project has been developed with the collaboration of six states: Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. This multi-state cooperation was formalised through an agreement signed on January 11, 2019, in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The agreement highlights the shared benefits and responsibilities of these states in the dam’s construction and its long-term operation, which will ensure equitable distribution of water and energy resources.
The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department has already taken steps to facilitate the project’s construction. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been developed for the necessary road diversions, amounting to approximately Rs 600 crore. These diversions will allow the transportation of heavy machinery to the dam site, crucial for the construction of the dam and its associated infrastructure.
As part of the project’s environmental commitments, 1,818 hectares of forest land across 19 forest divisions in the state will be earmarked for afforestation efforts. This compensatory afforestation is designed to mitigate the environmental impact of the project, ensuring that the region’s ecological balance is preserved even as infrastructure development takes place.
The Renukaji Dam Project, which has been in the planning stages for nearly three decades, gained significant momentum with the laying of its foundation stone by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 27, 2021. This event marked a turning point for the project, signaling the beginning of its physical construction and the government’s commitment to addressing water scarcity in the region.
Sanjeev Kumar, Executive General Manager of the Renukaji Dam Project, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made, noting that the successful site inspection by the expert team represents a critical milestone in the project’s development. He emphasised that the completion of the tunnel designs will clear the path for the next phases of construction, ultimately bringing the project closer to realisation.
