The Indian central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has granted the green light for the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project in Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). This pivotal decision marks a substantial financial commitment, with the central government allocating Rs 1,557 crore to Uttarakhand for the comprehensive execution of the Jamrani Dam project. The ambitious undertaking, anticipated to cost Rs 2,584 crore, is set to conclude its operations by March 2028.
The essence of the Jamrani Dam project revolves around the construction of a dam near Jamrani village, strategically located along the Gola River, a tributary of the Ram Ganga River, nestled within the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.
The dam’s primary objective is to facilitate the transportation of water to the existing Gola barrage through a well-designed 40.5 km canal network. This extensive canal system will provide irrigation water to a substantial area, encompassing 57,065 hectares of land. This includes 9,458 hectares in Uttarakhand and 47,607 hectares in Uttar Pradesh. The regions set to benefit from this irrigation initiative encompass Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts in Uttarakhand, as well as Rampur and Bareilly districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Beyond the construction of two new feeder canals, the project will encompass the renovation of 207 km of existing canals and the establishment of 278 km of durable field channels.
Notably, the Jamrani Dam project isn’t solely focused on irrigation; it also aims to generate 14 MW of hydroelectric power, significantly contributing to the energy requirements of the region.
Furthermore, the project holds promise in providing an impressive 42.70 million cubic meters (MCM) of potable water to Haldwani and its adjacent areas. This boon will have a far-reaching impact, extending its benefits to over 10.65 lakh (1.065 million) residents in the Uttarakhand region.
While both Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh will share the irrigation benefits stemming from the project, the advantages related to drinking water supply and power generation will be exclusively directed towards Uttarakhand, making this endeavor a transformative step in regional development.