Why Ranbir Canal matters as India plans to choke water flow to Pak? Key details

India Today

16-05-2025

In a strategic move to choke the flow of water from the Indus Basin to Pakistan, India is considering doubling the length of the Ranbir Canal on River Chenab from 60 km to 120 km. The move will not only increase India's ability to divert water to Jammu for agricultural activities, but also reduce the flow into downstream Pakistan. This will directly hit Pakistan's Punjab province, which contributes 68% to the annual food grain production.advertisementChenab is one of the three rivers whose waters were allocated to Pakistan under the now suspended Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The move will likely have profound implications for Pakistan's agricultural production.WHAT IS RANBIR CANAL?The Ranbir Canal, located in Jammu, is the lifeline for the city's agricultural production. Constructed in the early 20th century, it stretches nearly 60 km from its origin - upstream of the Akhnoor Bridge on the left bank of the Chenab, about 25 kilometres northeast of Jammu city.The canal was designed initially on net irrigated land of 16.460 hectares. The length of the main Ranbir Canal is 60 km and that of its distribution system is around 400 km.As per the Indus Water Treaty, 1960, the Ranbir Canal is allowed to carry 1,000 cusecs for irrigation purposes, 250 cusecs for hydropower use besides water withdrawal for silt extraction from April 15 to October 14.LOCATION AND STRUCTUREadvertisementOrigin: The canal takes off from River Chenab near Akhnoor, Jammu.Length: Originally about 60 kilometers, with current proposals to extend it up to 120 kilometres.Route: It traverses the Jammu region, providing water to agricultural lands and supporting local communities.BACKGROUND ON THE INDUS WATERS TREATYThe Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960, is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank.It allocates the waters of the eastern rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum) to Pakistan, while permitting India's limited use of the western rivers for irrigation and non-consumptive purposes.India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan for the first time ever in response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.The decision to halt the treaty was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the government's highest decision-making body on national security.WHY RANBIR CANAL MATTERS?The Ranbir Canal predates the IWT, having been built in the 19th century, and has long served as a key irrigation channel for the Jammu region.India's use of water from the Chenab (a western river) for irrigation via the Ranbir Canal has been regulated, with limits on how much water can be diverted to ensure downstream flows to Pakistan.advertisementFollowing the April 22 terror attack, India suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty. In the aftermath, India began considering measures to increase its control over the Indus system, including major expansions of existing infrastructure like the Ranbir Canal.PROPOSED EXPANSIONThe government is weighing plans to double the Ranbir Canal's length from 60 km to 120 km, increasing its reach and capacity.The expansion would boost the canal's diversion capacity from 40 cubic meters per second to 150 cubic meters per second, potentially diverting significantly more water for Indian use before it reaches Pakistan's Punjab region.This move is seen as a way for India to exert pressure on Pakistan, as about 80 per cent of Pakistan's agriculture relies on the Indus system. Any reduction in water flow could have serious consequences for Pakistani agriculture and hydropower.GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONSThe expansion of the Ranbir Canal is part of a broader Indian strategy to leverage its upstream position for geopolitical influence, especially after the suspension of the treaty.While such infrastructure changes would take years to fully implement, the holding of water in certain dams has already affected water levels at key points in Pakistan.RANBIR CANAL FACTSFeatureDetailsLocationJammu, IndiaSourceChenab River (upstream of Akhnoor Bridge)Original Length60 kmProposed Length120 km (under expansion plans)Construction Completed1905PurposeIrrigation, water supplyTreaty ContextRegulated under Indus Waters Treaty; now under reviewStrategic SignificancePotential tool for water leverage post-treaty suspension