Kadana Dam: Water Reserve Just 17km Away — Agreement with Gujarat Could End the Water Crisis in Four Rajasthan Districts

The Bhajanlal government has taken a historic step by signing the Yamuna water agreement for the Shekhawati region. Now the same relief could reach the people of Barmer, Balotra and Jalore, as a share of water belonging to these Rajasthan districts has been going to waste at Gujarat's Kadana Dam for nearly two decades. This could finally be secured if the Gujarat and Rajasthan governments reach a joint agreement — with the water sitting just 17 kilometres from the Rajasthan border.

Decades-old dispute over Mahi Project waters

The Mahi Project was built in 1966, and by 1979 the dam at Gujarat's Kadana site had been completed, along with the water reaching it. The site lies a mere 17 kilometres from Rajasthan. A total of 87 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water reached the reservoir, and under the original plan, 28 TMC of this was meant to be allocated to Rajasthan.

This water was intended to benefit Rajasthan's Jalore, Sirohi, Barmer and Jaisalmer districts, with a canal network planned to deliver it to more than 650 villages and hamlets. The scheme was designed to serve both irrigation and drinking water needs. However, after completing its portion of work up to Kadana, the Gujarat government halted further progress. The remaining work was meant to proceed through a bilateral agreement between the two states, but Gujarat did not cooperate further. Of the total 337km high-level canal that was to be built, 320km was constructed — entirely within Gujarat.

Rajasthan has repeatedly raised the issue

Since 2007, farmers in Rajasthan have consistently demanded their share of 28 TMC of water, but with no effect. A committee — the Khosla Committee — was formed in 2007 and, although it ruled in Rajasthan's favour, the matter was never resolved.

Chief Minister wrote to the Centre in 2024

On 18 June 2024, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma wrote to the central government seeking Rajasthan's share of water from Gujarat. Correspondence was exchanged between the two states, but the drinking water problem remains unresolved.

Enough to fill four Jawai dams

The water currently drains uselessly into the Gulf of Khambhat, in a quantity capable of filling four reservoirs the size of the Jawai Dam. There have been sustained protests and lobbying over the issue. Kesar Singh Rathore, state vice-president of the Rajasthan Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, said that just as water was secured for the Shekhawati region, the same could be achieved by seeking this water from Gujarat, since it rightfully belongs to Rajasthan.