Haryana To Revive The Sacred Saraswati River, Plans Reservoir And Interlinking Of Local Streams Near Adi Badri

In an effort to revive the ancient Saraswati River, the Haryana government is planning a barrage, dam and reservoir at Adi Badri, reports The Indian Express.

The government also plans to build a project to interlink Markanda and Saraswati rivers through the Kainthla supply channel. This project intends to divert around 894 hectare metres of flood water to Saraswati reservoir.

While addressing a seminar on ‘Saraswati River-New Perspectives and Heritage Development’ during the ongoing International Saraswati Festival-2021 on Monday (15 February), Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the project of Saraswati river revival would be beneficial to develop all such places where there is evidence of Saraswati river and its heritage.

“All the doubts regarding existence of Saraswati river have been resolved and scientific evidence has been found for its flow. According to the description found in Mahabharata, Saraswati originated from a place called Adi Badri, which is just above Yamunanagar in Haryana and just below the Shivalik hills. Even today people consider this place to be a place of pilgrimage,” said CM Manohar Lal Khattar while addressing the seminar organised by Vidya Bharti Sanskriti Sansthan and Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board.

He added “Based on research, documents, reports, and scientific facts, it has been proved that Saraswati River is still flowing underground from Adi Badri and upto Kutch in Gujarat.”

The CM also said that the revival of Saraswati River will result in flood control, improved irrigation and groundwater recharging in the region.

“Development of national level tourism circuits in Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Hisar, Rakhi-Garhi, Fatehabad and Sirsa from Adibadri to Sirsa will create new pilgrimage opportunities in these areas, resulting in new employment and business opportunities. Riverfront development along the Saraswati will improve basic amenities and the socio-economic condition of the region. Also, afforestation on the banks of river Saraswati will help in maintaining environmental balance,” Khattar added.