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CWC inspects Renukaji Dam site, set to expedite work

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has conducted a detailed site inspection of the Renukaji Dam project to expedite its development and address construction challenges. Acting as the principal consultant for Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), the CWC is instrumental...
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The Central Water Commission (CWC) has conducted a detailed site inspection of the Renukaji Dam project to expedite its development and address construction challenges. Acting as the principal consultant for Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), the CWC is instrumental in ensuring the dam’s timely completion.

The inspection team, led by Chief Engineer AK Gupta and Director Wasim Ashraf, evaluated key project components and reviewed construction arrangements. They also assessed factors contributing to delays and rising costs. During their visit, the team held discussions with project officials, including the Executive General Manager, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project’s progress and hurdles.

The Renukaji Dam project, planned as a major storage initiative on the Giri River in Sirmaur district, entails the construction of a 148-meter-high rock-fill dam near Dadahu. The dam will create a reservoir with a live storage capacity of approximately 498 million cubic meters, spanning 24 km. This reservoir is projected to supply 500 million cubic meters of water annually to Delhi, meeting nearly 40 per cent of the city’s water demand. Additionally, the dam will generate 40 MW of electricity, exclusively for Himachal Pradesh, contributing an estimated Rs 120 crore annually to the state’s revenue.

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Despite its strategic importance, the project has been delayed since its inception in 1976 due to issues like land acquisition, environmental concerns, and inter-state agreements. The dam will submerge 1,508 hectares of land, affecting 41 villages across 20 gram panchayats. However, a significant breakthrough came in 2019 when six beneficiary states — Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh — signed an inter-state agreement to advance the project.

Recent developments suggest a renewed focus on the dam’s construction. HPPCL officials have expressed optimism, citing near-completion of procedural requirements. The initial phase involves building three 1.5-km diversion tunnels to redirect the Giri River temporarily, paving the way for the dam’s foundation work. The project is expected to become operational by 2030.

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The CWC inspection team will prepare a detailed report outlining their findings and recommendations to the central government. The report aims to resolve construction challenges and streamline progress. Once completed, the Renukaji Dam will significantly enhance water security for Delhi and neighboring states, while also boosting Himachal Pradesh’s economy through power generation and related revenues.

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