Rajasthan's Ambitious Ramjal Setu Project Aims to Secure Water Future

Progress on the Ramjal Setu Link Project

In Jaipur, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma convened a high-level meeting to discuss the progress of the state's ambitious Ramjal Setu Link Project. He urged officials to prioritize the completion of all project tasks promptly to ensure benefits reach the public ahead of schedule. Sharma emphasized that this initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, represents a historic step towards securing the water future of Eastern Rajasthan, providing ample drinking water, irrigation, and industrial use for millions.

The Chief Minister stated that the Ramjal Setu Project is not merely a water initiative but a foundation for the overall social and economic development of Eastern Rajasthan. He highlighted its critical importance for future water security, farmer prosperity, and industrial growth, urging all relevant departments to work in full coordination to meet the project timelines and deliver benefits to the public as soon as possible.

Sharma instructed officials to regularly monitor each component of the project and submit monthly progress reports. He insisted that all pending tasks be completed within the set deadlines and that the quality of construction work must not be compromised. The Chief Minister reviewed detailed information regarding various packages and ongoing construction activities.

He assessed the progress of several components, including the Bisalpur to Mor Sagar (Ajmer), Isarda to Bandh Baretha (Bharatpur), Isarda to Ramgarh (Jaipur), Khura-Chanpura to Jaisamand (Alwar), and Brahmani Barrage, providing necessary directives.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for sensitivity and transparency in rehabilitation and compensation processes for affected families, ensuring that no family faces difficulties regarding resettlement or compensation. He called for strict monitoring of the work by project officials to ensure timely completion and regular quality testing.

Over ₹24,000 crores worth of work is currently in progress.

The construction of the Navnera and Isarda dams has been completed.

During the meeting, Abhay Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Water Resources, reported that over ₹24,000 crores worth of work is underway for this project. He noted that the construction of the Navnera Barrage and Isarda Dam has been completed, while work on the overflow sections of the Ramgarh Barrage and Mahalpur Barrage is ongoing, involving approximately 600 cubic meters of concrete work per day. Additionally, a significant component of the project, the Navnera Pump House, is also under progress with 10 lakh cubic meters of earth excavation.

Work on key components of the project is advancing rapidly.

He mentioned that a 19-kilometer feeder canal needs to be constructed from Navnera Barrage to Mej Anicut, with about 8 kilometers already completed and the remaining work ongoing. Similarly, in the Chambal Aqueduct, approximately 3,700 out of 5,060 piles have been completed. Work is also ongoing for the pump houses and feeders from Mej River to Galwa Dam, Galwa Dam to Isarda Dam, and Galwa Dam to Bisalpur Dam.

The meeting revealed that the feeder construction from Isarda to Khura Chanpura to Bandh Baretha, Bharatpur, involves approximately 180 kilometers, with work already commenced. Currently, the head regulator work is in progress. Additionally, water diversion work from Bisalpur Dam to Mor Sagar artificial reservoir has started, with the head regulator work at Bisalpur Dam ongoing and the pump house work at Lamba Harisingh Dam initiated.

The alignment determination for water diversion from Isarda Dam to Ramgarh Dam in Jaipur is in its final stages, with plans to finalize it soon and divert water to Ramgarh Dam via pipeline. The alignment for Brahmani Barrage has been established, and work on forest land restoration and land acquisition is ongoing. The alignment testing for water diversion from Khura Chanpura to Jaisamand Alwar is also in its final stages.

The Chambal Aqueduct is being constructed at a cost of ₹2,330 crores.

The meeting highlighted that under the first phase of the project, approximately ₹2,330 crores is being invested in the construction of the Chambal Aqueduct. This aqueduct will connect Peepalda Samel village in Kota district's Digod tehsil with Gohata village in Bundi district's Indragarh tehsil. It will lift water from Navnera Barrage and release it into Mej River, which will then be transported to Galwa Dam, Bisalpur, and Isarda Dam through various pump houses and feeder systems. This aqueduct will also provide an additional route for public transportation.

In the first phase, 17 districts will benefit a population of over 3.25 crore.

It is noteworthy that the state government has expanded the previous project into the revised Ramjal Setu Link Project, with an estimated cost of around ₹90,000 crores. In the first phase, approximately 3.25 crore people across 17 districts will gain access to drinking water. Additionally, sufficient water for irrigation and industries will significantly boost the economic, industrial, and social development of Eastern Rajasthan.

This project exemplifies the Chief Minister's effective leadership, foresight, and inter-state coordination. Immediately after the formation of the state government, the Chief Minister established coordination with the Madhya Pradesh government to advance the project. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in January 2024, and on December 17, 2024, a tripartite agreement was exchanged in Jaipur in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, representing Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Government of India.