State mulls dam near Hathnikund Barrage

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, March 17

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today visited Yamunanagar district to explore the possibility of a dam on the Yamuna river near the Hathnikund Barrage.

He held a lengthy discussion with the officers of irrigation and other departments in the rest house at Hathnikund Barrage. “We are exploring the possibility of a dam near Hathnikund Barrage as it could help harvest water in the monsoon. It could be used for irrigation and other purposes throughout the year,” said Khattar.

The Chief Minister said that discussions would be held with the governments of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and members of the Upper Yamuna Board about this proposed dam project. An officer of the Irrigation Department said that instead of setting up a barrage in 1999, a dam should have been constructed on the Yamuna at Hathnikund.

“There was no need to construct a barrage. A dam should have been constructed on the Yamuna at Hathnikund in 1999. By constructing a dam at that time, the government could have saved money which would be spent now (if a dam is constructed). Besides, the harvesting of water could have started 21 years ago,” said the officer on condition of anonymity. The Chief Minister also said that work was rapidly being done for the revival of the Saraswati river. He visited Madhobans village, falling under Kalesar gram panchayat of Yamunanagar district, where the proposed dam might be constructed.

Khattar also went to Shri Mahakaleshwar Math and offered prayers at this historical temple of Lord Shiva.