Kishau Multipurpose Project: Historic Inter-State MoU

Key Facts

  • Six states — Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi — signed an MoU to enable the Kishau Multipurpose Project.
  • The project involves a 232.6-metre-high concrete gravity dam on the Tons River (a major tributary of the Yamuna), on the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border.
  • Capacity: 422 MW hydroelectric; generation of 1,476 million units of hydropower.
  • Irrigation potential: 97,000 hectares of agricultural land.
  • Delhi will receive 110 million cubic metres (MCM) of water — the biggest beneficiary — supporting drinking water needs.
  • 25% of the project's water is dedicated to maintaining the environmental flow of the Yamuna, linked to the goal of a clean Yamuna by 2029 under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

Background: 1994 Yamuna Water Agreement

  • A MoU signed in 1994 among Yamuna basin states (undivided UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi) allocated the river's surface water.
  • Since the Upper Yamuna (from Yamunotri glacier to Okhla barrage, Delhi) lacked major storage, three storage projects were mandated:
  • Lakhwar Project — Yamuna River (Uttarakhand)
  • Renukaji Project — Giri River (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Kishau Project — Tons River (HP/UK border)

The Dispute and Breakthrough

  • Kishau is a National Project: the Centre funds 90% of the water component; the remaining 10% is shared among basin states.
  • The dispute concerned the power component: Himachal Pradesh refused its ~Rs 2,000 crore liability, citing displacement and ecological costs it bears while downstream states get most water/irrigation benefits.
  • Resolution via cooperative federalism: downstream beneficiary states agreed to cover HP's liability — Delhi and Rajasthan in a 75:25 ratio.

Significance

  • A model of cooperative federalism resolving inter-state water disputes without tribunal litigation.
  • Enhances water security for Delhi and irrigation for the region.
  • Supports environmental flow restoration of the Yamuna.

Related Concepts

  • Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 and tribunals; Inter-State Council (Article 263).
  • Constitutional provisions: Article 262 (disputes relating to inter-state river waters), Seventh Schedule (Entry 56, Union List — inter-state rivers; Entry 17, State List — water).
  • National Project status: enhanced central funding for water component.