The visionary Renuka Ji Dam project, envisioned 58 years ago on Himachal Pradesh's tranquil Giri River, is finally poised to transcend decades of delays and emerge as a game-changer. This landmark initiative promises to quench Delhi’s chronic water scarcity while energizing Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh with sustainable power generation. Beyond its functional benefits, the dam exemplifies a rare synergy of foresight, federal cooperation, and political resolve.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone of this ₹6,946 crore project virtually on December 27, 2021. Now, with 95% of procedural hurdles cleared, global tenders will soon be floated, paving the way for construction. Cost estimates, factoring a 5% annual escalation, have surged to ₹8,262 crore. Targeted for completion by 2030, with operations commencing in 2032, this project’s progress is critical for Delhi and beyond.

A Political and Strategic Cornerstone

Originally slated to showcase progress before Delhi’s 2025 Assembly elections, the dam faced procedural delays, pushing construction timelines by 5-6 months. However, intervention by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) could expedite the design approvals and tendering process. Both the BJP and AAP are likely to leverage the dam's progress as an electoral trump card in the national capital.

Addressing Displacement and Rehabilitation

Local tensions, however, remain high. The Jan Sangharsh Samiti has criticized project authorities for inadequate rehabilitation efforts, including compensation gaps for displaced families. Activists demand higher pay-outs aligned with Public Works Department estimates, claiming the current compensation sums are insufficient. Harikesh Meena, Managing Director of HP Power Corporation, refutes these allegations, stating ₹1,573 crore has already been disbursed, and 90 houseless families have been offered relocation options at designated sites. Himachal Pradesh is set to gain 200 million units of electricity annually, worth ₹66 crore, with Delhi funding 90% of the ₹300 crore power machinery cost. The Delhi government has already transferred ₹270 crore for this purpose, underscoring the project’s significance.

The Cultural and Strategic Legacy

Renukaji, nestled in Himachal’s Sirmaur district, is an ideal site for the dam due to its geographical and hydrological advantages. The Giri River, a Yamuna tributary, provides a steady water flow for power and storage. The site also holds immense cultural significance. Named after Goddess Renuka, the mother of Parashurama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu), the area is steeped in mythology. The Renuka Lake, believed to embody the goddess, is India’s largest natural lake, drawing pilgrims year-round. Ancient temples dedicated to Goddess Renuka and Lord Parashurama further enhance the site’s spiritual and historical importance, making the project not just a hydropower marvel but a testament to India’s cultural heritage. With 95% of hurdles cleared, the Renuka Ji Dam stands as a beacon of hope, blending technological ambition with religious reverence, ready to transform Delhi’s water woes and power needs for generations.

Renukaji Dam: A Lifeline for Delhi and Basin States

The ₹8,262.28-crore Renukaji Dam project, a 148-meter-high rock-filled structure on the Giri River in Himachal Pradesh, is set to transform water and power availability across six states. With 1,508 hectares submerged and a 24-km tunnel planned, the project affects 41 villages across 25 panchayats, displacing 7,000 residents, including 346 homeless families.

Water Distribution and Contributions

Haryana leads with a 5.73 BCM share (47.82%), contributing ₹555.95 crore, followed by Uttar Pradesh's 3.721 BCM (31.05%) and ₹361.04 crore. Rajasthan holds 1.119 BCM (9.34%), contributing ₹108.58 crore, while Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Delhi contribute ₹36.67 crore, ₹30.17 crore, and ₹70.25 crore respectively. . Uttarakhand’s share of water in the upper Yamuna basin is 0.311 BCM, which constitutes 2.60% of the total share Together, the states will allocate ₹1,162.66 crore for this critical project.

Long-Delayed Execution

Proposed in 1976, the dam faced decades of procedural hurdles. Originally estimated at ₹4,596 crore in 2015, the cost has now ballooned. A significant milestone was achieved in January 2019, when a MoU between the six beneficiary states—brokered by then Union Minister Nitin Gadkari—resolved water-sharing disputes. In 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved financial support, pushing the project into execution mode.

Infrastructure and Impact

Located in Dadahu, near Tokyo village, the dam will store 498 million cubic meters of water, routed to Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan via key barrages. As part of the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, it will deliver 23,000 litters of water per second to Delhi. Additionally, the dam’s incidental hydroelectric power generation (40 MW) will earn Himachal ₹120 crore annually.

Future Prospects

Experts predict a 110% increase in the Giri River's flow, ensuring reliable water supplies during lean periods. Despite the challenges faced by displaced communities, the Renukaji Dam promises long-term benefits: improved water security for Delhi, agricultural irrigation, and energy generation, marking it a landmark achievement in cooperative federalism and infrastructure development.

For Delhiites, the Renuka Ji Dam symbolizes the realization of a 58-year-old aspiration. After decades of bureaucratic inertia and contentious hurdles, the project finally surged forward, culminating in the Prime Minister laying its foundation stone—a landmark event in its protracted history. The stored water will be routed to Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana through the Hathnikund Barrage, further reaching Delhi-NCR via the Wazirabad Barrage and Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan via the Okhla Barrage.

Delhi's perennial water woes, aggravated by surging urbanization and population growth, have long demanded a solution. With the capital’s water demand exceeding 1,200 million gallons daily (MGD), severe shortages during peak summer months are commonplace, as existing sources like the Yamuna River and groundwater fail to suffice. The Renuka Ji Dam, promising 275 MGD, is poised to bridge this deficit, bolstering domestic supply, sustaining industrial growth, and stabilizing infrastructure development in the sprawling metropolis.

Nestled in the scenic Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, the dam's towering 148-meter structure will create a reservoir capable of storing 498 million cubic meters of water. Annually, it will supply 23 cubic meters per second (275 MGD) to Delhi alone, while simultaneously producing 40 MW of hydroelectric power for Himachal Pradesh, advancing both regional water security and renewable energy objectives.

Despite its transformative potential, the project’s journey was fraught with challenges. Conceptualized decades ago, it faced obstacles ranging from environmental concerns to inter-state disputes, land acquisition roadblocks, and funding stalemates. Securing environmental clearances was a monumental task, given the ecological sensitivity of the region. Forested landscapes rich in biodiversity raised alarms over wildlife displacement and the submergence of green cover. Years of negotiations and compensatory afforestation plans eventually paved the way for approvals.

Inter-state discord over water-sharing ratios and financial contributions further delayed progress. States such as Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand often clashed on allocation and cost-sharing, necessitating repeated central mediation to resolve conflicts. Himachal Pradesh, meanwhile, had to grapple with the task of acquiring 1,477 hectares of land, including 909 hectares of forest. Protests and legal battles over compensation and rehabilitation compounded delays until enhanced compensation packages and livelihood restoration initiatives placated affected communities.

The project's escalating cost was another sticking point. Initially pegged at ₹3,600 crore, delays ballooned the budget to over ₹6,946 crore by 2021. Financial deadlock was finally broken when the central government agreed to fund 90% of the cost under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). This decisive intervention eased the financial burden on states, with Delhi swiftly sanctioning ₹1,066 crore as its share, reaffirming the project’s criticality to its water future. The late Sheila Dikshit, Delhi’s former chief minister, also championed this project for 15 years during her tenure, ultimately succeeding in having it declared a ‘project of national importance’ in 2010 during Manmohan Singh’s second term as Prime Minister.  The prolonged and intricate negotiations finally bore fruit when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra, Modi, granted financial approval on 15 December, 2022.

The central government’s role in reviving the project has been pivotal. By integrating it into flagship initiatives like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), it underscored the dam’s national importance. Accelerated clearances, robust mediation, and funding commitments further demonstrated political resolve. With construction set to commence by mid-2025 and completion targeted for 2032, the government is committed to strict oversight, ensuring timely execution and phased commissioning of water supply and energy outputs.

The Renuka Ji Dam epitomizes cooperative federalism at its finest—where the center and states unite to tackle shared challenges. For Himachal Pradesh, it heralds economic growth, energy self-sufficiency, and enhanced infrastructure. For Delhi, it is a lifeline, promising a reliable solution to its chronic water crisis. Beyond immediate benefits, the dam’s capacity to regulate river flow and mitigate downstream flooding enhances its value as a climate-resilient infrastructure.

As a testament to sustainable development, the Renuka Ji Dam exemplifies how judicious resource management can drive inclusive growth and environmental stewardship. By transforming Himachal Pradesh into a green energy hub and securing Delhi’s water needs, the project underscores the synergy of political will, inter-state collaboration, and community engagement in overcoming complex developmental challenges.

(Writer is a senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist based in Shimla.)