Kishau dam MoU: Haryana to gain 1,280 cusecs more Yamuna water, says CM Saini
Synopsis
After years of deadlock, six states have signed an MoU on the Kishau Multipurpose Project — a move Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says will deliver 1,280 cusecs of Yamuna water to his state. Combined with the Renuka-ji and Lakhwar dams already under construction, Haryana stands to gain 1,143 MCM in total water allocation. The Centre, led by Home Minister Amit Shah, brokered the long-pending consensus.
Key Takeaways
Six states — UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana — signed an MoU on the Kishau Multipurpose Project on 15 September 2026 .
The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
Haryana holds a 48 per cent share in Yamuna waters and will receive 1,280 cusecs from the three dams collectively.
Haryana's total water allocation from Renuka-ji , Lakhwar , and Kishau projects will be approximately 1,143 MCM .
The three projects will together raise water availability by 2,676 cusecs across states.
Construction on Renuka-ji and Lakhwar is already underway; Kishau work is expected to begin soon.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, said the signing of a multi-state pact on the Kishau Multipurpose Project marks a watershed moment for the state, which will directly benefit from increased water availability in the Yamuna River. Saini made the remarks in New Delhi after a high-level meeting on the project chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, attended by representatives of six states — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
What Was Decided at the Meeting
The inter-state meeting resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among the six participating states on the Kishau Multipurpose Project, a dam initiative that has remained pending for years due to inter-state differences over water sharing. CM Saini described the agreement as 'a major achievement,' crediting the initiative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the active facilitation by Home Minister Shah. He also acknowledged the contribution of Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, whom he said had continuously coordinated with states and departments to expedite the project.
Haryana's Share in the Yamuna and the Three Projects
Haryana holds a 48 per cent share in Yamuna waters, making it the most direct beneficiary of any increase in river flow. According to CM Saini, Haryana's combined allocation from three key projects — Renuka-ji, Lakhwar, and Kishau — will amount to approximately 1,143 million cubic metres (MCM). The three projects are together projected to boost water availability by 2,676 cusecs, of which 1,280 cusecs will flow to Haryana.
Construction Status and What Comes Next
CM Saini noted that construction work on both the Renuka-ji and Lakhwar projects is already underway. With the MoU now signed for the Kishau project, work on that dam is expected to commence soon. This comes amid long-standing water scarcity concerns in Haryana's agricultural belt, where dependable irrigation supply has been a persistent demand. Notably, the Kishau project had been held up for years owing to unresolved inter-state claims — making the fresh consensus a significant diplomatic outcome.
Centre's Role in Breaking the Deadlock
'Due to the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the active efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the way has been paved for building consensus among the states on this issue that has been pending for years,' CM Saini said. The Home Ministry's direct involvement signals that the Centre treated the Yamuna water-sharing impasse as a national-level priority rather than leaving it to bilateral state negotiations. This pattern mirrors earlier Centre-mediated settlements on river disputes under the current administration.
Point of View
The arithmetic is straightforward: 48 per cent of Yamuna flows and 1,143 MCM from three dams is a meaningful supply addition for a state whose farmers have long complained of irrigation deficits. What the announcement does not yet address is a binding construction timeline and dispute-resolution mechanism for the Kishau dam itself — the same absence that allowed earlier agreements on such projects to stall at the paperwork stage. The real test will be whether the Centre's momentum holds once the cameras have moved on.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kishau Multipurpose Project?
The Kishau Multipurpose Project is a long-pending inter-state dam initiative on the Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna. On 15 September 2026, six states — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana — signed an MoU to move the project forward after years of stalled negotiations.
How much water will Haryana get from the Kishau project and related dams?
Haryana's combined share from the Kishau, Renuka-ji, and Lakhwar projects is approximately 1,143 million cubic metres (MCM). The three projects will together increase water availability by 2,676 cusecs, of which 1,280 cusecs will be Haryana's share, according to CM Nayab Singh Saini.
Why has the Kishau project been delayed for so long?
The Kishau project was held up for years due to unresolved inter-state disputes over water-sharing entitlements. CM Saini credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah with brokering the fresh consensus that led to the MoU signing.
When will construction on the Kishau dam begin?
CM Saini said work on the Kishau dam is 'expected to begin soon' following the MoU signing, though no specific start date was announced. Construction on the related Renuka-ji and Lakhwar projects is already underway.
What role did the Centre play in the Kishau MoU?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the six-state meeting that resulted in the MoU, while Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil is credited with coordinating among states and departments to expedite the project. The Centre's direct involvement was seen as critical to breaking the long-standing inter-state deadlock.
