Six States and Delhi Sign Agreement for Kishau Multipurpose Project

Kishau Multipurpose Project Agreement 2026

• On 15 September 2026, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi signed an agreement for implementing the 422 MW Kishau Multipurpose Project. 
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil. 
• The project is planned on the Tons River, along the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border, and is part of the planned storage projects in the Upper Yamuna Basin. 
• The project has an estimated cost of around ₹15,624 crore. 
• The Kishau project has been designated as a National Project. 
• Under the agreed financial arrangement, approximately 90% of the project cost will be borne by the Government of India, while the remaining 10% will be contributed by the participating States and Delhi. 
• The project will involve construction of a 232.6-metre-high concrete gravity dam on the Tons River. 
• The proposed reservoir will have a storage capacity of approximately 1,562 million cubic metres (MCM). 
• The project is also linked to improving environmental flows in the Yamuna and enhancing water availability in the Upper Yamuna Basin. 
• Delhi is expected to be a major beneficiary, particularly through improved water availability and measures aimed at improving the Yamuna.
• The project has its roots in the 1994 Upper Yamuna Basin agreement, under which basin States agreed to enter into separate agreements for individual storage projects. 
• Other major storage projects in the Upper Yamuna Basin include the Lakhwar and Renukaji projects. 
• Progress on the Kishau project had remained delayed because of disagreements, including issues concerning the financial contribution of the participating States. 

• On 16 June 2026, the six participating States and Delhi reached consensus to move forward with the Kishau project agreement, including the Centre's proposed 90% assistance for the water component. 

   

PRELIMS MCQ

Q. With reference to the Kishau Multipurpose Project, consider the following statements:

1-The project is proposed on the Tons River, which flows along the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border. 

2-The project is part of the Upper Yamuna Basin storage projects. 

3-Under the 2026 agreement, the entire project cost will be borne by the Government of India as it has been declared a National Project. 

4-The project is expected to contribute to improving environmental flows in the Yamuna. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only 

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. The 422 MW Kishau Multipurpose Project will be constructed on the Tons River along the Uttarakhand–Himachal Pradesh border and is part of the Upper Yamuna Basin development. It is also intended to improve environmental flows in the Yamuna. 

Statement 3 is incorrect. Although the project is a National Project, the Centre will bear approximately 90% of the financial burden, while the remaining 10% will be borne by the participating States and Delhi.