Government planning three new dams on Yamuna-Sharda link: Uma Bharti

NEW DELHI: Seeking to address the long term water requirements of the national capital, the Government is speeding-up work on the Yamuna-Sharda link, proposing three new dams in Uttarakhand for this purpose.

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti told reporters today the Centre is holding discussions with Uttarakhand Government over the three dams for Yamuna-Sharada link.

"We are proposing for three new dams including one Renuka in Uttarakhand. We have started discussions with the State Government over these three dams, which would ensure that Yamuna gets adequate water," she said.

These three dams would also supply water for the farming requirements of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, she added.

"It would pass through Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and linked with Yamuna in Delhi. Yamuna water will be available throughout Delhi," Bharti said.

Pointing out that Yamuna-Sharda link would address the drinking water issues of Delhi for a longer period, Bharti said that it would also strengthen Yamuna.

"The new initiative (link) would strengthen Yamuna river, besides addressing the drinking water requirements in Delhi for a long time," the Minister noted.

She also recalled that an agreement was signed by the Prime Minister during his visit to Nepal last year on Pancheshwar, which has an element for preparing the new link.