Haryana, Uttarakhand move to revive Saraswati river; blueprint finalised

Ambala: Haryana and Uttarakhand have initiated joint steps to revive the Saraswati river, with a detailed project blueprint being finalised after a high-level meeting in Haridwar.The move follows discussions between Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) vice-chairman Dhuman Singh Kirmach and Manu Gaur, adviser to Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.Officials said both state govts are now working on an inter-state framework aimed at reviving the river's flow and restoring its cultural significance.Kirmach said scientific inputs from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) suggest that the Saraswati is believed to have originated from the Bandarpunch glacier in Uttarakhand, like the Ganga and Yamuna. He said the project would explore ways to channel water linked to this river system towards Haryana.According to him, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini had earlier written to the Uttarakhand government on the issue, following which the neighbouring state agreed to move ahead with the proposal.The plan includes harnessing water from the Tons river — described as a major perennial tributary — along with smaller streams in Uttarakhand, and directing it towards Haryana as part of the proposed revival of the Saraswati river system.HSHDB is also working on linking multiple tributaries to the network as part of a broader hydrological and cultural restoration exercise.To strengthen the scientific basis of the project, experts from IIT Roorkee and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology are being consulted, officials said.