Considering Proposal to Build Dam Near Hathnikund Barrage: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Wednesday that his government is considering a proposal to build a dam 500 meters from Hatnikund Dam, an issue that has seen crisis between his state and neighboring Delhi.

The AAP government in Delhi has accused Haryana of releasing too much water from the barrier into the Yamuna River, causing flooding in parts of the national capital. In turn, the Haryana government said that the barrage in Yamunanagar district is not a reservoir that can hold a large amount of water.

Khattar said the state government is in talks with Himachal Pradesh state on the proposal to build the dam, adding that it needs two villages. “We may also need the land of two villages in Himachal for the construction of the dam,” he said.

The prime minister said things are in a preliminary stage and a survey is being conducted. He told reporters here in response to a question that experts said that at the initial level a dam can be built.

He said if such a dam is built, water can be stored there and Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh can get water from it.

Khattar again criticized the AAP leadership for blaming his state for the floods in parts of Delhi.

Asked about the request of AAP to hand over the maintenance of the ITO barrage to the Delhi government for more efficient management, Khattar said these are interstate matters.

He said Wazirabad, ITO and Okhla bombs with Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively.

“..there is no point in the blame game, solutions must be mutually found. If the blame game continues, it will harm everyone,” he said in response to questions about AAP blaming Haryana for the floods in Delhi.

Khattar denied opposition claims that the flood situation in the state was exacerbated by increased mining in the rivers.

He said such statements are illogical.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)