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Hans India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
India Accelerates Kashmir Hydropower Projects Following Indus Waters Treaty Suspension
India is expediting the completion of several major hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir following its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to chair a high-level meeting this week with key ministers including Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to discuss acceleration of these projects. The government plans to fast-track six significant hydropower initiatives in the region: the 1,856 MW Sawalkot Project on the Chenab River, 1,000 MW Pakal Dul, 850 MW Ratle, 800 MW Bursar, 624 MW Kiru, and the 1,320 MW Kirthai-I and II projects. With the treaty suspension, India is no longer required to provide Pakistan with a six-month notice before starting new projects and has ceased data sharing. Reports indicate India has already begun increasing reservoir capacity at two hydroelectric projects in Kashmir. The completion of these projects could potentially increase Jammu and Kashmir's power generation capacity to 10,000 MW while significantly improving water availability for irrigation and drinking purposes. Pakistan has warned that any attempt to divert water belonging to them would be considered "an act of war" and threatened international legal action over the treaty suspension.
India Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
After big Indus Waters Treaty move, India moves to speed-up 6 hydropower projects
Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, the central government is set to accelerate the completion of long-pending hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir. A significant meeting in this direction is expected to be chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah this week, along with Jal Shakti (water resources) minister CR Patil, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and key officials from relevant ministries. This meeting follows two prior discussions between Home Minister Amit Shah and Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil regarding the matter. The focus is on fast-tracking six key hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir: Sawalkot Project (1,856 MW) – located on the Chenab River in the Ramban and Udhampur districts. Pakal Dul (1,000 MW) Ratle (850 MW) Bursar (800 MW) Kiru (624 MW) Kirthai-I and II (total 1,320 MW) Previously, the Indus Water Treaty mandated that India provide a six-month notice to Pakistan before commencing any new projects. However, with the treaty now suspended, this requirement is no longer in effect, and data sharing will also cease. This development opens the possibility for India to initiate new projects on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers and to proceed with the revival of Wular Lake, which was previously hindered. The completion of these hydropower projects is projected to boost Jammu and Kashmir's power generation capacity to as much as ten thousand MW. Additionally, it is anticipated to significantly enhance the availability of water for irrigation and drinking purposes in the plains. According to news agency Reuters , India has already begun work to boost reservoir holding capacity at two hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which marked the first tangible step by India to operate outside agreements covered by the Indus Waters Treaty. Islamabad had threatened international legal action over the suspension and denied any role in the attack, warning, "Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan ... will be considered as an act of war". Tune In
