Plan to Divert Ganga Water to Yamuna Hits Farmer Roadblock

An ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing the flow and diluting pollution in the Delhi stretch of the Yamuna River has encountered significant obstacles. This development comes as the Uttar Pradesh government has raised critical concerns regarding the proposed plan, as reported by official sources.

The strategy behind the plan is to release approximately 500 cusecs of water from the Upper Ganga Canal (UGC), located in western Uttar Pradesh, into the Yamuna River. Given that the UGC does not have a direct connection to the Yamuna, the implementation of this plan requires a series of complex water diversion processes. Initially, water will be diverted from the UGC to the Eastern Yamuna Canal (EYC) through an existing channel, subsequently redirecting it from the EYC into the Yamuna itself.

According to the official source, the diverted water from the UGC to the EYC is expected to traverse through three different districts in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has expressed concerns that local farmers may initiate protests if the water is redirected to Delhi without allowing them to access it for agricultural use, especially since it will be passing through their regions. The sentiment among farmers is that this water diversion could potentially threaten their agricultural livelihoods.

In addition to farmers’ protests, the U.P. government has highlighted that substantial re-engineering efforts will be necessary for the diversion project. A committee has been established to scrutinize the engineering challenges that have been presented. However, it is important to note that the unresolved issue regarding farmers’ rights and access to water, first raised in July, remains a significant hurdle.

Under the proposal, the additional water is intended to flow through the segment of the Yamuna in Delhi and is projected to be recovered downstream via the Agra Canal by the Uttar Pradesh government. Notably, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will not be permitted to utilize this added water for drinking purposes.

In a bid to bolster the project’s feasibility, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has been commissioned to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at increasing the capacity of the Deoband channel in Uttar Pradesh. This channel plays a pivotal role in the proposed connection between the UGC and EYC.

The Urgent Necessity of Cleaning the Yamuna

Cleaning the Yamuna has long been an essential commitment, notably reiterated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly elections. This ongoing challenge highlights the complex interplay between environmental conservation efforts and agricultural needs in the region.

Several Delays in Environmental Commitments

The issue of cleaning the Yamuna has not seen timely resolutions. Back in 2015, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), while deliberating on a case filed by Manoj Mishra, an ex-Indian Forest Service officer, proposed the ‘Maily Se Nirmal Yamuna’ (dirty to clean Yamuna) Revitalization Plan in 2017. The aim was to restore the river and its floodplains by March 31, 2017. However, this deadline has passed largely unmet.

A study from the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, recommended maintaining a river flow of 23 cubic metres per second after the Hathnikund Barrage, which is located upstream of Delhi. Alarmingly, current measurements indicate that the flow is restricted to only 10 cubic metres per second, signifying a dire need for effective remedial actions.

Future Prospects: The Need for New Dams

While diverting Ganga water has been viewed as a temporary measure, the long-term resolution involves the construction of three dams in the upper reaches of the Yamuna. Once completed, these dams will facilitate the storage of excess water during the monsoon season, allowing it to be released during drier periods to ensure a consistent flow in the river. Currently, construction of only one of these dams has commenced, with a projected completion date set for December 2031. This timeline raises further questions about the feasibility and effectiveness of immediate water management solutions in the region.