Indus treaty: More storage for projects in first stages, no change in others, says Govt
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal said Tuesday that India will plan more water storage for hydro projects in J&K that are still in the initial stages, but no changes will be made for projects already in the pipeline.
At a media briefing, the Minister said, 'Where Indus Waters Treaty is concerned, no changes will be made for projects that are in the pipeline, because the technical details have been finalised. There are some projects that are in the initial stages, for which we can plan more water storage and electricity generation.'
Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the government put in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which restricts hydroelectric projects in the Indus river basin from including any significant water storage capacity. Now, the government is likely to increase storage capacity for new projects.
Currently, there are four hydro projects in J&K that have been concurred by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the country's apex power planning body, but are yet to be taken up for construction.
These include New Ganderbal (93 MW) on the Sindh Nallah, Kirthai-II (930 MW) and Sawalkot (1,856 MW) on the Chenab, and Uri-I Stage-II (240 MW) on the Jhelum. As of April, all these projects are planned as run-of-the-river, with three including limited pondage capacity.
The CEA is also exploring the Bursar storage-based hydro project (800 MW) on the Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab, which is currently under the survey and investigation (S&I) stage. Two more run-of-the-river projects – Dulhasti Stage-II (260 MW) and Kirthai I (390 MW) – are also under examination.
According to the CEA, J&K has a balance potential of nine more hydro projects, with a cumulative capacity of 1,088 MW. Out of these, two are planned with storage – Gangbal (48 MW) and Wardwan Bursar (255 MW) – and the remaining are all run-of-the-river projects.
Earlier, The Indian Express had reported that the Centre was looking to fast-track four hydroelectric projects on the Chenab – Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Ratle (850 MW), Kiru (624 MW), and Kwar (540 MW). Pakal Dul is the first storage-based hydro project being built in J&K.
Once completed, it will have a live storage capacity of nearly 109 million cubic metres (mcm) and is expected to be commissioned by September 2026, according to the CEA.
At the briefing, Manohar Lal also said the country's power sector faced cyberattacks in 'large numbers' during Operation Sindoor, all of which were countered by installed firewalls.
'During Operation Sindoor, (power sector) systems were attacked in large numbers. However, we countered each attack, hence there were no losses.'
Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said heavy malicious traffic was detected and addressed by firewalls.
The Minister said, 'Cybersecurity is being strengthened for all projects, be it generation, transmission or distribution. Even imported items used in projects are being scrutinised, because anyone can attempt cyberattacks.'
Aggam Walia is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, reporting on power, renewables, and mining. His work unpacks intricate ties between corporations, government, and policy, often relying on documents sourced via the RTI Act. Off the beat, he enjoys running through Delhi's parks and forests, walking to places, and cooking pasta. ... Read More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
A ‘new' old war: Why Jammu & Kashmir is more vulnerable than ever
The line between war and peace is increasingly blurred in Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab as well, as proxies and hybrid non-state actors of Pakistan could adopt drone warfare tactics to create a disproportionate impact read more Let me recall moments from mid-1999, when I served as Colonel of the Rashtriya Rifles, an experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of Kashmir's counter-insurgency dynamics. While Operation Vijay was being fought on the heights of Kargil, the valley floor was also under siege — albeit of a different kind. The ISI, innovating once again, had infiltrated special suicide squads of highly trained and motivated terrorists, many led by Pakistani regulars. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beginning July 1999, they launched sneak attacks on army and police camps that were then poorly secured by non-existent or minimal perimeters. It forced us into reactive postures. A large number of troops had to be diverted to static guard duties — defending installations, logistics hubs, and communication centres — all of which were vital not just for counter-insurgency (CI) operations but also for any future war. This diluted the effectiveness of our offensive posture; fewer troops were available for area domination, raids, and ambushes. Cut to 2025. While India analyses the success of Operation Sindoor through the lens of conventional escalation — targeting key assets in Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — one cannot ignore that the ISI and its ecosystem will also be conducting their own war games. Their objective would be to re-establish relevance in the Kashmir theatre and reclaim psychological initiative. Remember the Pahalgam attack of April 22, 2025, a brutal assault on tourists; it was not an isolated act. It was, in many ways, a copycat replication of Hamas' strike of October 7, 2023, on Israel — a sudden and high-visibility operation meant to create shockwaves and provoke. If we view Pahalgam in that light, it becomes clear that a new asymmetric campaign would be under contemplation — one that could integrate novel tactics and technologies for infiltration, recruitment of youth and management of hideouts. Also remember that the communication systems being used by terrorists are of the advanced Chinese versions, which are difficult to intercept. Enter drones, the bane of today's warfare. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Spider Web: The New Template One of the most significant evolutions in modern warfare has been unfolding before our eyes in Ukraine. On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched what is being referred to as Operation Spider Web — a sophisticated, long-range drone and sabotage operation deep inside Russian territory. The operation had reportedly been in planning for nearly 18 months. Small, innocuous-looking trucks — some pre-positioned and others inserted covertly — carried armed drones hundreds of kilometres into Russian territory. These were launched against airfields, command and control nodes, early warning systems, and other critical infrastructure. The results were spectacular; not just in terms of physical damage but also psychological disorientation. For a country like Ukraine with limited air power, this operation represented a stunning workaround, achieving strategic effects without traditional air superiority. The second Israel–Iran conflict of 2025 has added yet another layer of validation to this emerging pattern. For the second time in a single month, drones have not just crossed borders but have been launched from within adversary territory — in one case, reportedly from civilian rooftops in central Iranian towns. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel's imaginative use of small, autonomous drone swarms, leveraging both prepositioned assets and internal collaborators, illustrates the new grammar of warfare. It is a compelling real-world demonstration of how state-level actors are operationalising asymmetric drone strategies to create strategic surprise and psychological shock. If this is what state-on-state drone warfare looks like today, one can easily see how proxies or hybrid non-state actors in South Asia could mimic such tactics at a smaller scale with equally disproportionate impact. Just transpose this template to a sub-conventional, asymmetric theatre like J&K combined with Punjab. The implications are chilling — and very real. Drone Wars in the Kashmir–Punjab Belt Even though the number of terrorists operating inside the Kashmir Valley has dwindled, the threat is far from over. The conflict has been seeping southwards — into Rajouri, Reasi, Kathua, and even parts of Punjab. This southward spread coincides with the steady increase in drone sightings and recoveries along the Punjab border — originally attributed to narcotics smuggling, arms drops, and infiltration aids. If these drone operations are recalibrated for pure terror purposes, can one imagine the impact? It could also ensure the activation of all three target zones with lessened risk and yet a high scope for denial for the terror perpetrators. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unlike 1999, today's terrorists can do far more damage with fewer men. The cost-benefit ratio of drone warfare is heavily tilted in favour of the attacker. Even low-cost recreational drones, assembled from commercial kits, can strike convoys, helipads, or civilian targets and create an impact in the information domain. GPS-guided kamikaze drones of the loitering variety can be launched from rooftops, fields, or moving vehicles. Encrypted communication apps, AI-assisted navigation, and satellite imagery make planning both detailed and deniable. The same open-source tools used by civilian OSINT communities — such as Google Earth and others — can be used for target acquisition, route mapping, and surveillance. A series of micro-drone attacks in a short span of time — on convoys on the Jammu–Srinagar highway, fuel dumps in rear logistics areas, or crowded civilian spaces — could paralyse response grids, spark panic, and create disproportionate psychological effects. That is exactly what terrorists sought in 1999 and managed to achieve for some time. This time the numbers could be higher as also the impact before the security forces find answers to neutralise them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A 'New' Old War What makes this emerging threat even more serious is that it blurs the line between war and peace. A drone strike from within Indian territory — launched from a hut, an orchard, or a cattle shed — does not carry the signature of cross-border infiltration. Attribution becomes tricky. This strategy suits the adversary perfectly; it revives terrorism without increasing physical infiltration. It creates 'ghost threats' — attacks without visible footprints. And it pulls in security forces into high-alert static duties, just like 1999 — thereby reducing proactive engagement options. In a sense, this becomes a hybrid warfare layer built on top of a disaggregated insurgency — a low-cost, high-impact model aimed at strategic paralysis and political destabilisation. Since the line between targeting civilians and security personnel has blurred with the Pahalgam attack, tourist spots would be constantly under threat, robbing both sides of the Pir Panjal of the tourist footprint. Even the Amarnath Yatra could come under threat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lessons from 1999, Warnings from 2025 If the post-Kargil 1999 asymmetric surge forced India to rethink perimeter security, troop deployment patterns, and intelligence integration, the post-Pahalgam, post-Spider Web world of 2025 demands even more. This is a battlefield of algorithms and altitudes, where satellites meet sabotage and where drones replace the fidayeen. The war in Ukraine has shown what's possible — and the threat landscape in Kashmir and Punjab is evolving to reflect that. It is time we anticipate what comes next — because the adversary could already be contemplating the next moves. It's not as if there aren't counters to this threat, but that will need a full essay to cover, perhaps in the near future. The writer is a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Human potential is the true asset': Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis; 250-acre ‘EduCity' to be developed in Navi Mumbai
MUMBAI: 'Today, it's not capital but human potential that is the true asset. Industries thrive where there is a skilled workforce, research, and innovation. Hence, creating a quality, multi-skilled workforce is essential. Human resource development is, therefore, the most valuable investment,' said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis . He was speaking at the inauguration of the new buildings of Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), as well as the groundbreaking ceremony of the new educational complex of SVKM at Vile Parle. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, NMIMS University Chancellor Amrishbhai Patel, SVKM Vice President Bhupeshbhai Patel, MLAs Parag Alavani and Amit Satam, former MLA Kripashankar Singh, Bharat Sanghvi, Jayant Gandhi, faculty members, and students were present on the occasion. Chief minister Fadnavis said that institutions like NMIMS have carved a distinct identity in India through academic excellence, a transparent admission process, and globally benchmarked education. In collaboration with the central government, a 250-acre 'EduCity' will be developed in Navi Mumbai. Leading international universities such as the University of Aberdeen, University of York, University of Western Australia, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Istituto Europeo di Design will set up campuses there. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo This initiative will bring global knowledge to India, reduce education costs, and lessen the need for students to go abroad. 'Earlier, the education system was rigid and slow-moving. It would take years to revise curricula. Now, with the National Education Policy (NEP), we have flexibility and dynamism. Maharashtra and Mumbai have become startup hubs of India. The state government has created a fund to support new entrepreneurs,' he said. He also mentioned that a committee has been formed to review building height restrictions for educational institutions, and a decision will soon follow upon receiving the report. Additionally, efforts will be made to identify land for setting up a world-class stadium for students and local youth. 'National Education Policy is a historic step toward India's intellectual renaissance' – Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remarked that India's freedom struggle was not just against the British but also aimed at reviving Indian values through education. The Macaulay education system imposed by the British undermined India's traditional knowledge and fostered a servile mindset. The National Education Policy 2020 is a historic move toward ideological and mental rejuvenation of the country. Its effective implementation must be ensured at all levels. He elaborated on the history of Indian education, the need for reforms, and the guiding principles for the future. Addressing the audience, he said that institutions like Narsee Monjee are not just educational establishments but also symbols of new India's aspirations. He called upon SVKM to contribute significantly in key sectors such as commerce, trading, and entrepreneurship, which form the backbone of the nation's economy. Speaking directly to students, the Minister said, 'You are not just students, you are warriors of a new India. Your role is vital in building a developed nation.' Interaction with Students Chief minister Fadnavis and minister Pradhan toured the buildings of Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. They interacted with students at the automation and manufacturing labs to learn about the latest technological developments. They also visited the Prof. Y.K. Bhushan Information and Knowledge Resource Center, including its digital and finance labs and the library, and engaged in conversations with the students. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"Mistakes Must Not Be...": Amit Shah On BJP Leader's Controversial Remarks
Union Ministers Amit Shah and Bhupendra Yadav on Saturday cautioned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders against making controversial statements, saying "restraint in speech is the most important virtue" and that "sometimes, it is wiser to stay silent". The two ministers were speaking at a three-day BJP training camp in Pachmarhi, a hill station in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district when they made the remarks. Their remarks came against the backdrop of Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah's comments on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi that sparked an outrage, even as the BJP leader later issued an apology. Colonel Qureshi was part of the team that conducted daily media briefings on Operation Sindoor. "Mistakes happen but they must not be repeated," Mr Shah said in his keynote address, in an apparent reference to the state minister's remarks. "No matter how senior or experienced one becomes, they must always remain a student," he added. State Cabinet Minister Karan Verma said Union Minister Shah's remarks were targeted at Vijay Shah's controversial comments. "He acknowledged that mistakes can happen to anyone, but made it clear that repetition is unacceptable," he said. Mr Yadav said an overreaction and lack of verbal restraint can cause serious reputational damages to a party. "Ninety percent of political harm comes from reacting to everything. Sometimes it is wiser to stay silent," he said. "In politics, restraint in speech is the most important virtue, especially in an era where every word is amplified," he said, urging leaders to think before speaking in public and maintain the dignity of the post they hold. Last month, Vijay Shah came under fire over his remarks on Colonel Qureshi, who gained prominence along with another woman officer, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, during media briefings on Operation Sindoor. Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and resulted in Operation Sindoor, the minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "sent their [terrorists'] sister" - a veiled reference to Colonel Qureshi - aboard a military aircraft to retaliate against those responsible. "They [terrorists] made our sisters widows, so Modi ji sent a sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson. "They undressed our Hindu brothers before killing them. We responded by sending their own sister to hit them in their houses," he said, in an apparent reference to Colonel Qureshi. He made the remarks - widely perceived as communal, gendered and derogatory - while addressing a local event in Raikunda village in Indore on May 12. As his comments triggered a nationwide uproar, he said he was ready to apologise "10 times". The Madhya Pradesh High Court, however, rebuked the minister for passing "scurrilous" remarks and using "language of the gutters" against Colonel Qureshi and ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on grounds of promoting enmity and hatred against him. Subsequently, the state police constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The minister's remarks also came under criticism of the Supreme Court, which said that individuals occupying constitutional positions should exercise restraint during their speeches. Meanwhile, the Pachmarhi training camp aims to educate both seasoned and newly-elected members on the BJP's history, working culture, and effective use of social media and communication skills. The camp, organised to train public representatives and party functionaries, is being attended by 165 BJP MLAs, 29 Lok Sabha MPs, and seven Rajya Sabha MPs from the state. In a move to ensure complete focus, participants have been directed not to use mobile phones during sessions, except during the scheduled breaks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address the closing ceremony of the event.
