Why is UP blocking Ganga water for Delhi's Yamuna?

UP has raised concerns about potential farmer protests and significant engineering challenges related to diverting water through their state.

What was the plan to clean the Yamuna river?

The plan involved releasing Ganga water to increase flow and dilute pollution, with long-term solutions including new dam construction.

When will the new dams for Yamuna water be completed?

The construction of only one of the three planned dams has started, with a completion date of December 2031.

Home / Environment / Ganga Water for Delhi Yamuna Blocked by UP

Ganga Water for Delhi Yamuna Blocked by UP

4 Dec

•

Summary

UP cites farmer protests as reason to block Ganga water diversion.
Significant engineering changes needed for water transfer to Yamuna.
Long-term Yamuna cleanup relies on three new dams, only one started.

Ganga Water for Delhi Yamuna Blocked by UP

An ambitious initiative to augment the Ganga's water flow into Delhi's Yamuna to combat pollution has been halted. The Uttar Pradesh government has expressed reservations, primarily due to anticipated farmer objections concerning water usage along the diversion route and the significant engineering modifications required.

The proposed plan involved releasing approximately 500 cusecs of Ganga water from the Upper Ganga Canal into the Yamuna. However, diverting this water necessitates complex routing through existing canals and across UP districts, raising concerns about agricultural water rights and infrastructure adjustments.

While a committee examines the engineering challenges, the farmer-related issues, first flagged months ago, remain unresolved. This temporary measure is distinct from long-term solutions, which involve constructing three new dams on the Yamuna, with the first one projected for completion in late 2031.