OBJECTIVE/SIGNIFICANCE:
The Renuka dam project was conceived in 1985 as a storage project on the Giri River (a
tributary of the Yamuna) in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The Project envisages
making a 148-meter-high dam for supplying water to Delhi and another basin States. It
will also generate 40 MW of power. In 2009, the Project was declared as a National
Project.
After the construction of the dam, the flow of the Giri River will increase by about 110%,
which will help meet the drinking water needs of Delhi and another basin States.
Water from the Renuka dam will be used by the U.P., Haryana, and National Capital
Territory of Delhi from Hathnikund barrage by the NCT of Delhi from Wazirabad Barrage
and by U.P., Haryana, and Rajasthan from the Okhla barrage.
STATE OF PROVINCE: Sirmour district Himachal Pradesh.
STAKEHOLDERS:
The Centre signed an agreement on 06.11.1994 with Chief Ministers of 5 States. Those
will be beneficiaries Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and
Uttar Pradesh. In January 2019, the state of Rajasthan also entered into this agreement.
RELEVANT ACTORS:
Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, Government of Delhi, National Green Tribunal, Forest Advisory
Committee (FAC), Himachal Pradesh High Court, Land Acquisition Officer, Supreme Court,
Environmental Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
COST OF PROJECT:
The total cost of the Project in December 2006 price level was INR 2175.00 crore. As per the agreement entered in by the Central Govt and state Governments, 90% cost of the Project will be borne by the Central Government, whereas the Govt of other beneficiary states will pay the remaining 10% cost. In March 2015, the cost of the Project had been revised to INR 6,946.99 crore.
EXECUTING AGENCY:
Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd.
STIPULATED DATE OF COMPLETION:
The Project was scheduled for completion by November 2014.
REASONS OF DELAY:
The project construction was stayed by the National Environment Appellate Authority/National Green Tribunal in 2010-11 due to objections on the Environment Clearance granted to the Project. The National Green Tribunal cleared way partially on 03.07.2015.
The Project has been hanging fire for years for want of funds. The Central Government has
accepted the proposal of Rs 6,946.99 crore for the Renukaji Dam project for the state-run HP power development corporation Ltd (HPCL).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
Food insecurity (crop damage), Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of
landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover,
Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (Physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological/hydrological connectivity.
SOCIO-ECONOMICAL IMPACTS:
Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Specific impacts on women, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place, Displacement, Increase in
Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Lack of work security, labor absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Violations of human rights, Other socio-economic impacts.
HEALTH IMPACTS:
The reports of mental problems, including stress, depression, and suicide, are a consequence of the Socio-Economic Impacts, as mentioned in the preceding Para.
ANALYSIS:
The dream project incepted in 1985 to provide additional water to the U.P., Haryana, National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Rajasthan is still pending for completion. The new target for completion has been fixed for the year 2022.
