Historic MoU Signed by Six States for Kishau Multipurpose Project Under Amit Shah’s Leadership
Eight-decade-old project gets fresh momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership; project envisages 422 MW power generation and a 1562 MCM reservoir
New Delhi/Dehradun: A significant step was taken towards the implementation of the long-pending Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project as six states—Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at an important meeting chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The agreement marks a major milestone for the project, which has been under consideration for nearly eight decades. The Kishau project is being pursued as a multipurpose initiative aimed at strengthening water security, power generation, irrigation and drinking water availability, besides contributing to the rejuvenation of the Yamuna and the development of the Upper Yamuna Basin.
Eight-Decade-Old Project Gets Fresh Momentum
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the signing of the MoU as a significant milestone in the efforts to bring the long-awaited Kishau project to the ground.
He said the occasion was not merely about signing an agreement but represented an important step towards implementing a project that has been awaited for nearly eight decades.
According to the Chief Minister, the Kishau project was conceptualised in 1940. Several efforts were subsequently made to move it forward, but the project could not progress due to various issues. He said important long-pending projects are now being advanced through greater coordination between the Centre and the states under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Amit Shah’s Guidance Helped Resolve Key Issues
Dhami expressed special gratitude to Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and said that several key issues concerning the Kishau project were addressed following a meeting held on June 16, 2026, under his guidance.
Subsequent coordination between the Central Government and the participating states helped advance the project on various fronts. The signing of the MoU now provides a formal framework for taking the project forward.
422 MW Power Generation and 1562 MCM Reservoir
The Chief Minister described Kishau as a multipurpose project linked to water security, energy generation, irrigation, drinking water supply and the rejuvenation of the Yamuna.
The project envisages the creation of a reservoir with an approximate capacity of 1562 million cubic metres (MCM) and the development of 422 MW of power generation capacity.
The project is expected to benefit Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh as well as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, particularly across the Upper Yamuna Basin.
Example of Inter-State Cooperation
Dhami said the Kishau project represents an important example of inter-state cooperation and cooperative federalism.
Since the project involves multiple states, effective coordination between the Central Government and participating state governments will remain crucial for its implementation. The MoU marks a formal step towards strengthening this coordination.
Rehabilitation of Affected Families a Top Priority
The Chief Minister also highlighted the need to address the concerns of families that may be affected by the project.
He said the proper, sensitive and dignified rehabilitation of affected families would remain a top priority for the Uttarakhand Government. Development-related activities, he said, must be accompanied by adequate protection of the interests of affected communities.
Around 2,500 Hectares of Forest Land Required
Dhami also highlighted the environmental and forest-related challenges associated with the project.
He said approximately 2,500 hectares of forest land would need to be transferred for the project, which would, in turn, create a requirement for a substantial area of land for compensatory afforestation.
For a forest-rich and mountainous state like Uttarakhand, identifying such a large area of land is a significant challenge. The Chief Minister therefore requested the Central Government and participating states to extend cooperation in identifying suitable land for compensatory afforestation.
He reiterated that Uttarakhand remains committed to maintaining a balance between development and environmental conservation and will ensure compliance with all applicable environmental and forest-related provisions.
Focus on Time-Bound Implementation
Dhami expressed confidence that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, the participating states would work towards implementing the Kishau project within a defined timeframe.
He said the MoU is more than a formal agreement and represents an important milestone in taking forward a project that has remained pending for decades.
Once implemented, the project is expected to contribute to water availability, irrigation, drinking water supply, power generation and efforts towards Yamuna rejuvenation, while providing long-term benefits to states associated with the Upper Yamuna Basin.
Chief Minister Thanks Centre and Participating States
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his gratitude to Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
He also thanked the Union Ministers, participating state governments and senior officials present at the meeting for their cooperation in advancing the Kishau Multipurpose Project.
