Jamrani Dam project gets green flag, what is controversy around it?

The long-awaited Jamrani Dam project in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, has finally received approval from the Cabinet Committee

By Ground report 30 Oct 2023

New Update

Jamrani Dam project gets green flag, what is controversy around it?

The long-awaited Jamrani Dam project in Nainital district, Uttarakhand, has finally received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The project, which has been pending since 1975 due to lack of funding, is expected to solve the problem of drinking water and irrigation in Haldwani and surrounding areas.

The Union Cabinet has approved ₹1,557.18 crore in central assistance to complete the project in Uttarakhand, which is estimated to cost ₹2,584.10 crore by March 2028.

However, the project has been mired in controversy, with environmental activists and water experts raising concerns about its practicality and risks under current circumstances. They argue that the project is being carried forward based on old hydrology data, whereas the hydrology of the Gaula River, where the dam is proposed to be built, has changed significantly over recent years.

Dam construction displaces families, submerges land

The project will displace 821 families from six villages and submerge 401 hectares of land, including 351.55 hectares of forest land in Nainital district. The project envisages construction of a dam near Jamrani village across river Gola, a tributary of river Ram Ganga, in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The dam would feed the existing Gola barrage, through its 40.5 km length of canal system and 244 km long canal system, which was completed in 1981.

publive-image — Jamrani Dam (Proposed Roller Compacted Concrete Dam)

The project is set to enhance irrigation across 57,065 hectares, comprised of 9,458 hectares in Uttarakhand's Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts, and 47,607 hectares in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur and Bareilly districts.

Project enhances irrigation in four districts

In addition to constructing two new feeder canals, the project initiatives include renovating 207km of existing canals and implementing 278km of paved field channels.

The Jamrani Dam project involves the construction of a dam near Jamrani village on the Gola River, a tributary of the Ram Ganga River in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.

The dam will supply water to the existing Gola barrage through a 40.5 km canal system, providing irrigation water to an area covering 57,065 hectares of land. This includes 9,458 hectares in Uttarakhand and 47,607 hectares in Uttar Pradesh.

In addition to constructing two new feeder canals, the project will also renovate 207 km of existing canals and establish 278 km of solid field channels. The Jamrani Dam project aims to generate 14 MW of hydroelectric power and provide 42.70 million cubic meters (MCM) of drinking water to Haldwani and nearby areas, benefiting more than 10.65 lakh (1.065 million) people in the Uttarakhand region.

While both Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh will enjoy the irrigation benefits of the project, the advantages of drinking water and power generation will exclusively benefit Uttarakhand.

Environmental concerns

However, concerns have been raised about large development projects in the Himalayan regions due to recent intense weather events and their impact on dams. The approval of the Jamrani Multipurpose Project comes amid these concerns.

Firstly, the dam is being built on the Gaula River, which receives the highest amount of sediments compared to other mountain rivers in the country. This could pose a significant challenge as it reduces the lifespan of the dam.

Secondly, the Gaula River is in an active seismic zone where seepage of river water occurs in fault lines and fractures. This aspect needs to be considered while constructing the 150.6 meter high dam.

Thirdly, environmental activist and water expert Himanshu Thakkar argues that the project is being carried forward based on old hydrology data, whereas the hydrology of the river has changed significantly over recent years.

Fourthly, there has been no assessment of the Jamrani project in terms of climate change and calls for an assessment considering potential disaster risks.

Lastly, the project received Environmental Clearance (EC) with a condition to obtain No Objection Certificate from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Dam construction, seismic zone concerns

Dr. SK Bartaria, a retired senior scientist from the Wadia Himalayan Geology Institute, has conducted extensive studies on the Gaula River. He believes that the construction of the Jamrani Dam could potentially improve groundwater levels, but he also highlights the need for fresh analysis on several issues related to the Gaula River.

Recent research supports Dr. Barataria’s concerns. Factors such as drying up of water sources, poor forest conditions, excessive sand mining, and changing seasonal conditions have resulted in a significantly reduced flow of water in the Gaula River.

Based on sedimentation rates in the river until 2006, it was found that the rate of sedimentation has not changed significantly and is increasing at a rate of 14.29 hectare-meter/100 sq.km./per year.

Another concern raised by Dr. Barataria is about the active seismic zone of the Gaula River. During his study, he found that this river is in an active seismic zone where seepage of river water occurs in fault lines and fractures. This aspect needs to be considered while constructing the 150.6 meter high dam.

Based on sedimentation rates in the river until 2006, it was found that the rate of sedimentation has not changed significantly and is increasing at a rate of 14.29 hectare-meter/100 sq.km./per year.

Improve groundwater levels, reject dams

However, environmental activist and water expert Himanshu Thakkar, who has been working on dams, argues that this long-pending plan has not been assessed for its practicality and risks under current circumstances. He believes that the project is being carried forward based on old hydrology data, whereas the hydrology of the river has changed significantly over recent years.

Thakkar points out that groundwater is the largest source of irrigation in India and argues against big dams as a source of irrigation. Instead, he advocates for efforts to improve continuously falling groundwater levels which are crucial for life. He believes that improving groundwater levels can also address drinking water problems.