Chandigarh, January 21: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Saraswati river, which has been extinct since many years, will be rejuvenated with the construction of Adi Badri Dam. From time immemorial, religious beliefs will also be revived with the rejuvenation of Saraswati river, along with this the area will also develop as a pilgrimage site.  

The Chief Minister said this while speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held for  the construction of Dam at Adibadri in the presence of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sh. Jai Ram Thakur at PWD Rest House, Panchkula on Friday.

Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal and Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary, Sh. Ram Subhag Singh officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of the dam in the presence of both the Chief Ministers.

Speaking on the occasion,  Sh. Manohar Lal said that today his 35-year-old dream has come true.  He had travelled in the year 1986-87 in connection with the research being done regarding the revival of Saraswati.  This journey started from Adi Badri in Yamunanagar and reached till Kutch. Due to the construction of Adi Badri Dam, 20 cusecs of water will flow continuously in the Saraswati river. With this, water will flow in Saraswati throughout the year, added the Chief Minister.

He said that there is not only a religious belief regarding the flow of Saraswati river, but  it's presence underground has also been proved through satellite.  For conducting research on Saraswati river, a chair has been set up in Kurukshetra University, besides Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board has also been established.  

Haryana Government has notified an area of 200 km from Adi Badri to Ghaggar river via Kaithal for Saraswati river.  A mention of the same can also be found in the revenue records.

Dam to be built on 31.16 hectare land of Himachal region

The Chief Minister said that this dam would be built on 31.66 hectares of land in Himachal Pradesh region and an amount of Rs.215.33 crore would be spent for the same. It will store 224.58 hectare meters of water every year, of which Himachal Pradesh will get 61.88 hectare meters of water and Haryana will get the remaining 162 hectare meters of water. This water will flow into Saraswati river.

The width of this dam will be 101.06 meters and the height will be 20.5 meters. Around 20 cusecs of water from the dam will flow into the Saraswati river throughout the year, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

He said that the objective of this project is to revive the Saraswati river as well as increasing the ground water level.  With the commissioning of the dam, the flood situation arising out of excessive rainfall during the rainy days will also be dealt with. The lake being built near it will also promote tourism.

Adi Badri to be developed as pilgrimage site

The Chief Minister said that with the construction of Adi Badri Dam, the area around it would also develop as a pilgrimage. He said that the area from Kalka to Kalesar is very important from the tourism point of view. Many religious and tourist places come in this area including Adi Badri, Lohagarh, Kapal Mochan, Mata Mantra Devi.  With the development of Lake along with the dam, many tourists will come here, which will benefit both the states.

Dam will also be built on Hathnikund barrage

The Chief Minister said that several projects would be worked out in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh, including the construction of a dam at the Hathnikund barrage. Along with generating electricity from this dam, the continuous flow of clean water will also become possible in the Yamuna river.  

In this dam, the water flowing from the mountains to the Hathnikund barrage will be stored, so that the crops will also be saved from flood-like situations.  NOC has been sought for this dam, survey work will start soon, added Sh. Manohar Lal. 

The problem of water in Morni will also be resolved

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Morni area has developed from the point of view of tourism. Here the water problem will be resolved soon. The problem of water will be resolved by constructing a small dam on the river flowing near this area.

Foundation stone of Adi Badri Dam will be laid soon, Jai Ram Thakur

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sh. Jai Ram Thakur said that Adi Badri Dam would meet the requirement of irrigation and drinking water for both states. Due to the flow of water in the Saraswati river, this area will be developed from the point of view of religion and tourism. Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has also expressed his desire for the revival of the Saraswati river many times in programmes.  

In this episode, today an MoU has been signed between Haryana and Himachal Pradesh governments regarding Adi Badri Dam. Proper compensation will be given to the landowners whose land will be used for the construction of the dam, he added. 

Sh. Jai Ram Thakur said that in the coming days, the foundation stone of this dam will be laid after completing all the formalities related to this project. Governments of both States are also preparing the roadmap for many other projects together. This will develop tourism in both the regions, he added. 

Construction of Adi Badri Dam is a matter of great pride: Kanwar Pal

Haryana Education Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal said that it is a matter of great pride that a dam will be built at Adi Badri. The Vedas were written on the banks of this river.  For some reason, this river had become extinct.  

He said that Sh. Manohar Lal had started the work for the revival of Saraswati as soon as he took charge as the Chief Minister and today both Haryana and Himachal Pradesh governments while working amicably have turned this dream into a reality.  This is a historic moment, it is nothing less than a Bhagirathi effort, added Sh. Kanwar Pal. 

Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Ambala MP,  Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. D. S. Dhesi, Chairman of Central Water Mission, Sh. R. K. Sinha, Advisor, Haryana Saraswati Heritage Board, Sh. Amit Jha, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (B&R) Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi and other senior officers also remained present on this occasion.