On January 21, 2022, governments of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh signed an agreement to build a dam at Adi Badri in Yamunanagar district.

About Adi Badri Dam

• The Dam will rejuvenate the mythical Saraswati River.
• It is situated in Haryana near Himachal Pradesh border.
• The place is considered as river’s origin point.
• With the rejuvenation of Saraswati River, religious beliefs will also be revived.
• The area will also be developed as a pilgrimage site.
• The Dam will be built on 31.66 hectares of land in Himachal Pradesh. It has a width of 101.06 metres and height 20.5 metres.
• Total cost of the project is Rs 215.33 crore.
• Dam at Adi Badri will also get water from the Somb river, which falls in Yamuna River near Adi Badri in Yamunanagar.

Water Share

The dam will have the capacity of 224.58-hectare metres of water every year. Out of it, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana will get 61.88-hectare metres of water while remaining will flow into the Saraswati River.

Objective of the project

The Adi Badti Dam will be built with the objective of reviving the Saraswati River and to increase ground water level. Dam will also help in dealing with the flood situation arising out of excessive rainfall. A lake is also being built near the dam, which in turn will promote tourism.

Background

Research on revival of Saraswati River had started in 1986-87. Research started from Adi Badri in Yamunanagar and reached till Kutch.