The Kishau Multi-Purpose Dam

Source: News on Air

Context

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a crucial meeting in New Delhi on 16-17 June 2026, where a historic consensus was reached among six stakeholder states (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan) to implement the long-pending Kishau Multi-Purpose Dam Project, breaking an eight-year deadlock. The six states agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the hydroelectric and water storage project on the Tons River (a tributary of the Yamuna). The 236-metre concrete gravity dam (estimated cost: ₹11,500-15,000 crore) will create a reservoir of 1,324 MCM, generate 660 MW of hydropower (1,379 MU annually), and irrigate 97,076 hectares. Under the new agreement, the Central Government will fund 90 per cent of the water component as a central assistance grant, while the six states will share 10 per cent. A unique water swap allows Himachal Pradesh’s water share to be supplied to Delhi and Rajasthan in lieu of sharing HP’s power component cost (about ₹2,000 crore). The project was initially approved by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 2018, and the MoU will now be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.

Stakeholder States

1. Himachal Pradesh.
2. Uttarakhand.
3. Haryana.
4. Delhi.
5. Uttar Pradesh.
6. Rajasthan.

Location

• River: Tons River (a primary tributary of the Yamuna).
• Site: About 39 km north of Dakpathar, upstream of Ichari Dam.
• Border: Straddles Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Specifically: Between Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and Sirmour (Himachal Pradesh).
• Coordinates: about 30.75°N, 77.70°E.

Aim

• Build extensive water resource management network.
• Secure downstream drinking water.
• Expand agricultural irrigation across northern India.
• Generate peak-load hydroelectric power.
• Increase minimum ecological flow of the Yamuna River for environmental recovery.
• Rejuvenate Yamuna River.

The 90:10 Agreement

• Centre: 90 per cent of water component cost as central assistance grant.
• Six states: Share remaining 10 per cent.

About the Yamuna River

• Origin: Yamunotri Glacier, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand at an elevation of 6,387 m.
• Length: About 1,376 km.
• Major tributaries: Tons, Giri, Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken, Hindon.
• Joins Ganga: At Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh).
• Drainage basin: about 366,223 sq km.
• States: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh.

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to the Kishau Multi-Purpose Dam Project, consider the following statements:

1. The dam is being constructed on the Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna.
2. It straddles the border between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
3. The dam is 236 metres high with an estimated cost of ₹11,500 crore.
4. The Kishau dam is located on the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
(e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the Kishau dam is on the Tons River, NOT the Ganga.)

Q2. With reference to the funding framework agreed in June 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The Central Government will bear 90 per cent of the cost of the water component.
2. The remaining 10 per cent will be shared by the six stakeholder states.
3. Himachal Pradesh’s water share will be supplied to Delhi and Rajasthan in lieu of HP’s power component cost (about ₹2,000 crore).
4. The Centre will bear 100 per cent of both water and power components.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
(e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the Centre bears 90 per cent of water component, NOT 100 per cent of both components.)

Q3. With reference to the six stakeholder states of the Kishau project, consider the following statements:

1. The six states are Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
2. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in June 2026.
3. The Ministry of Environment and Forests had initially approved the project in 2018.
4. The eight-year deadlock was over inter-state water and cost-sharing issues.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
(e) None

Q4. With reference to the project’s technical features, consider the following statements:

1. The reservoir will have a live storage capacity of 1,324 MCM.
2. The hydropower plant will be rated at 660 MW with 1,379 MU annual generation.
3. The dam will support irrigation of 97,076 hectares.
4. The dam will not have any hydropower component.

Which of the above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 4 only
(e) All four

(Statement 4 is wrong; the dam will have a 660 MW hydropower plant.)

Q5. With reference to the broader Yamuna basin storage projects, consider the following statements:

1. The Lakhwar project is on the Yamuna River in Uttarakhand.
2. The Renukaji project is on the Giri River, a tributary of the Yamuna, in Himachal Pradesh.
3. The Kishau project is on the Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna.
4. All three projects are part of the Upper Yamuna basin storage initiative.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
(e) None

Answer Key

1. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the Kishau dam is on the Tons River, not the Ganga.
2. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the Centre bears only 90 per cent of water component.
3. (d), All four statements are correct.
4. (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the dam includes a 660 MW hydropower plant.
5. (d), All four statements are correct.