Breaking: Haryana, Rajasthan reach consensus on water-sharing pact; MoU to be signed on this date
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 23, 2026: In a significant development aimed at strengthening inter-state cooperation on water management, Haryana and Rajasthan have reached a consensus on supplying Rajasthan its allocated share of water under the 1994 Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) Agreement. An MoU formalising the arrangement is scheduled to be signed on Monday.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting held at the New Delhi residence of Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and senior officials from both states.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on issues related to water resources, irrigation, drinking water supply and inter-state cooperation. A key outcome was the agreement to provide Rajasthan its allocated share of Yamuna water through a pipeline system in accordance with the 1994 UYRB agreement.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said Haryana fully respects Rajasthan’s entitlement to water under the agreement and is committed to ensuring the supply of its allocated share.
“Haryana believes that better coordination and cooperation among states can lead to more efficient management of water resources and benefit all regions,” Saini said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma emphasized that the state was only seeking the quantity of water already allocated to it under the agreement. He noted that effective utilisation of surplus river water during the monsoon season could provide a long-term solution to drinking water shortages in large parts of Rajasthan.
The meeting also focused on accelerating three major water infrastructure projects — the Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar Dams — which are considered crucial for meeting the future water needs of northern India.
Saini said these projects would significantly enhance irrigation capacity, strengthen drinking water availability and help address growing water demands in the region.
He stressed the need for greater coordination among the concerned states and directed that necessary procedures be completed at the earliest to ensure timely implementation.
Ghaggar Pollution Issue Raised
The Haryana Chief Minister also raised concerns over polluted water flowing into the Ghaggar River and called for immediate measures to tackle the problem.
He announced that separate treatment plants would be established to treat wastewater entering the Ghaggar canal system, ensuring that untreated effluents do not flow into the river. The move, he said, would help improve water quality and contribute to environmental conservation.
Centre Calls for Stronger Inter-State Coordination
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among states for the effective utilisation and conservation of water resources.
He directed officials to take prompt action on the decisions taken during the meeting and stressed that inter-state coordination remains essential for addressing future water challenges.
The meeting witnessed extensive discussions on water management, river conservation and mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between states on shared water resources.
Among those present were Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Irrigation and Water Resources) Anurag Agarwal, senior Rajasthan government officials and representatives of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The consensus reached between Haryana and Rajasthan is being viewed as an important step toward resolving long-pending water-sharing issues and giving fresh momentum to key infrastructure projects aimed at improving water security across northern India.