Construction of 3 dams to end Delhi water woes: Govt

NEW DELHI: The construction of three dams in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is likely to end the water woes of Delhi, government said today.

A 10-year project to construct Renuka, Kishua and Lakhwa dams would help the national capital fulfill its water needs, Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat said in Lok Sabha.

The three dams are planned to be constructed in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The construction work has been facing delays due to environmental concerns and protests.

Responding to supplementaries on rejuvenation of river Yamuna, Jat said government was aware of the concerns raised by the members and taking a variety of steps like setting up treatment plants to ensure that the river's flow was not compromised due to pollution.

His remarks that nature takes steps on its own to rectify situations like poor flow and pollution drew flak from opposition benches.

Jat was responding to a supplementary by Hema Malini (BJP) about efforts needed to bring back the glory of Yamuna in Mathura-Vrindavan area.

The minister said to address the problem of pollution in river Yamuna, the Centre has been supplementing the efforts of the state governments in various pollution abatement works.

It has also been providing financial assistance to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana under the Yamuna Action Plan in a phased manner since 1993, he said.