Himachal offers to meet part of Delhi's water needs

New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh government today offered to meet a portion of the national capital's growing demand for drinking water.

HP was willing to help the city to meet its significant demand of drinking water that was expected to grow in view of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, state Irrigation Minister Thakur Kaul Singh said while speaking at a meeting of the Irrigation and Water Resources Ministers of Upper Yamuna Basin states here.

Mr Singh suggested setting up three water storage projects, Lakhwar-Vyasi, Kishau and Renuka, to improve the availability of water in Yamuna river during the lean season.

The Delhi government accorded highest priority to the construction of Renuka dam project in Sirmour district in HP, he said.

Delhi had agreed to meet the tentive project cost of Rs 2911.70 crore and also bear the additional cost towards environment and forest clearance besides relief and rehabilitation plan, he added.

UNI IP MIR DB2022