Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has directed officials to complete the long-pending Isarda Dam project by June 2025. The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting held in Jaipur, where the Chief Minister emphasized the project’s critical importance to the state’s development and public welfare.
The Isarda Dam, being constructed on the Banas River, is a flagship initiative designed to provide drinking water to 13 districts of Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Dausa, Alwar, Ajmer, and Tonk, and will also aid in irrigation and groundwater recharge in arid regions.
A Long-Delayed Dream
Originally conceived over a decade ago, the Isarda Dam project has faced multiple delays due to land acquisition challenges, interdepartmental coordination issues, and lack of timely funding. However, the new government has placed the dam on its priority list, viewing it as essential infrastructure for Rajasthan’s water-scarce regions.
CM Sharma, during the meeting, instructed the Water Resources Department and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) to work in mission mode and remove any administrative or logistical hurdles.
“There should be no compromise with quality or timelines. Rajasthan cannot afford to wait any longer. The Isarda project must be completed by June, and all departments must collaborate to make this happen,” said Sharma.
Drinking Water for Millions
Once completed, the dam is expected to provide drinking water to approximately 3.75 million people across multiple districts. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, pipelines from the dam will carry potable water directly to households, fulfilling a long-standing need for clean and reliable water supply in many dry villages and towns.
Officials estimate that the dam will store up to 10 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water, helping meet not only current needs but also future demands as urban and rural populations grow.
The CM also instructed officials to ensure that the environmental and resettlement aspects of the project are handled with transparency and empathy. “Displaced families must be compensated fairly, and resettlement should be humane and efficient,” he said.
Boost for Agriculture and Economy
Beyond drinking water, the dam will play a crucial role in irrigation and agricultural development. Rajasthan, known for its semi-arid terrain, often faces erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells. The water from the Isarda reservoir will be channeled to canals and storage tanks, helping irrigate thousands of hectares of farmland.
This will give a significant boost to farmers who have long depended on monsoon rains and face regular crop failures due to water shortages. The availability of assured irrigation will encourage crop diversification, improve yields, and enhance overall agricultural income in the region.
The Chief Minister noted that projects like Isarda are not just engineering feats but also economic enablers, capable of transforming livelihoods in water-starved regions.
Monitoring and Accountability
To ensure adherence to the revised timeline, the state government has decided to establish a dedicated task force to monitor progress on a weekly basis. All contractors and officials associated with the project will be held accountable for delays, and performance reviews will be conducted regularly.
“We will not tolerate laxity. The project must not become another example of missed opportunities. This is a test of governance and resolve,” said Sharma.
He also urged local MLAs and district collectors to personally oversee the progress of the project within their respective jurisdictions and maintain open communication with affected communities.
Public Hopes Rise
With the CM’s renewed focus and push, public hopes have been reignited across the region. Residents of Dausa, Alwar, and Jaipur rural areas, many of whom still rely on tankers or borewells for water, are cautiously optimistic that the dam could bring about real and lasting change.
Environmentalists and civil engineers have also supported the call for timely completion, provided the ecological impact is mitigated and water usage remains sustainable.
As Rajasthan inches closer to another challenging summer, the completion of the Isarda Dam project could serve as a turning point in the state’s water management strategy, blending infrastructure, environmental sensitivity, and social equity into one of India’s most ambitious regional water projects.