Renuka Ji Dam project back on track after years of delays

The much-delayed Renuka Ji Dam project, envisioned to ease Delhi’s water crisis and a source of renewable energy for Himachal Pradesh, is finally moving closer to its construction phase. Planned on the Giri river, a tributary of the Yamuna in the Sirmaur district, the project has cleared major hurdles, including forest clearances, and now awaits final nod from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

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Officials from the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) expressed optimism about the progress. HPPCL Managing Director Harikesh Meena said, “We are in the final stages of procedural requirements. Once the Central Water Commission appoints a Project Management Consultant to finalise the design, we expect to invite global tenders within three to five months.”

The 148-metre-high dam will create a reservoir spanning 24 km and store 498 million cubic metres of water. This will ensure an annual supply of 500 million cubic metres to Delhi, meeting 40 per cent of the city’s water needs. In addition to addressing water scarcity, the dam will generate 40 MW of electricity exclusively for Himachal Pradesh, contributing Rs 120 crore annually to the state’s revenue.

The project also promises to alleviate water shortages in neighbouring states, including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, during peak summer months.

The initial phase involves constructing three 1.5-km diversion tunnels to temporarily redirect the Giri river, ensuring minimal disruption to its natural flow. This is critical to laying the foundation for the rock-fill dam, which is expected to be operational by 2030.

The project, however, is not without controversy. Around 1,508 hectares of land, including agricultural and forest areas, will be submerged, impacting 41 villages across 20 gram panchayats. Local communities have raised concerns about displacement and the loss of livelihoods, while environmentalists worry about the ecological toll on the fragile Himalayan region.

Addressing these concerns, government officials have assured proper resettlement and rehabilitation measures. “We are committed to balancing development with ecological conservation,” Meena added.

The project gained momentum after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2021. Delays caused by bureaucratic red tape, environmental objections and land acquisition issues have pushed its estimated cost to Rs 6,947 crore, 90 per cent of which is funded by the Central Government.

Beyond its primary objectives, the dam is also expected to boost the local economy through tourism opportunities like water sports and recreational activities.