Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project Comes Under PMKSY-AIBP

October 26, 2023

In a significant development aimed at enhancing irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). This initiative falls under the purview of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Financial Allocation and Timeline

The government has allocated central support of Rs 1,557.18 crore for this project, which has an estimated cost of Rs 2,584.10 crore. The project is set to be completed by March 2028, as announced in a press release by the Cabinet.

The Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project

The core of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project involves constructing a dam near Jamrani village, spanning the Gola River, a tributary of the Ram Ganga River, located in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district. This dam will provide water to the existing Gola barrage through a 40.5-kilometer-long canal system and a 244-kilometer-long canal system, which was initially completed in 1981.

Irrigation Expansion

The project’s extensive objectives include increasing irrigation across 57,065 hectares, with 9,458 hectares in Uttarakhand and 47,607 hectares in Uttar Pradesh. This expansion will positively impact Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts in Uttarakhand, as well as Rampur and Bareilly districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Additional Infrastructure

In addition to the dam and canals, the project encompasses the construction of two new feeder canals, the renovation of 207 kilometers of existing canals, and the development of 278 kilometers of concrete field channels, according to the release.

Hydroelectric Power and Drinking Water Supply

Apart from irrigation, the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project is set to generate 14 MW of hydroelectric power and provide 42.70 million cubic meters (MCM) of drinking water to Haldwani and neighboring regions, benefiting over 10.65 lakh people.

Cost-Sharing Agreements

While a significant portion of the irrigation benefits will extend to Uttar Pradesh, cost-sharing agreements between the two states will be based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2017, as stated in the press release. However, the advantages of drinking water and power will primarily benefit Uttarakhand.

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2015-16 with the vision of improving physical access to water for agricultural purposes and expanding the cultivable area under assured irrigation. It aims to enhance on-farm water use efficiency and promote sustainable water conservation practices.

Budget Allocation

In 2021, the Central Government approved the implementation of PMKSY for the period of 2021-26, with an overall budget of Rs 93,068.56 crore, including central assistance of Rs 37,454 crore, as per the release.

Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) is a component of PMKSY focused on creating irrigation potential through significant and medium irrigation projects. Up to that point, 53 projects had been completed under PMKSY-AIBP, resulting in the generation of additional irrigation potential covering 25.14 lakh hectares, according to the release.

Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project – A Holistic Approach

With the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project in the PMKSY-AIBP framework, it becomes the seventh project to be incorporated since the inception of PMKSY 2.0 in 2021-22. This aligns with the government’s vision for holistic agricultural development and water resource management, as highlighted in the release.

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