India Fast-Tracks ₹2,600 Crore Chenab Projects After Indus Waters Treaty Freeze

India has started the major infrastructure activity on the Chenab River and approved the projects worth nearly the ₹2,600 crore. This decision comes right after the freezing engagement under the Indus Waters Treaty framework with Pakistan. This decision will triggered the fresh geopolitical attention in South Asia.

India Launches Major Chenab River Projects

India has reportedly moved ahead with the two important Chenab-linked infrastructure projects.

Together, this projects are worth close to around the ₹2,600 crore.

These initiatives are also expected to be executed by NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation).

The larger objective is to improve the India’s use of river waters and expand hydropower capacity.

The Biggest Project: Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel

The largest project in the new package is the ₹2,352 crore Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel Project.

This project is planned in the Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti region.

It involves the construction of the 8.7-kilometre tunnel.

The idea is to divert the surplus water from the Chenab basin into the Beas river system.

This is part of a broader inter-basin river transfer strategy.

Also a proposed 19-metre barrage is also expected as part of initial construction.

Dulhasti Stage-II Project in Jammu and Kashmir

The second major project is the Dulhasti Stage-II.

This project is located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Its main objective is to increase the hydropower generation in the Chenab basin.

Jammu and Kashmir has long been seen as a region with the significant untapped hydropower potential.

Why the Timing Matters

The announcement comes shortly after the India put the engagement under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) framework in abeyance.

This followed the heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Because the Chenab is one of the treaty governed western rivers, any infrastructure related decisions there attract major strategic attention.

What Is the Indus Waters Treaty?

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in the year 1960 between India and Pakistan.

The agreement was brokered by the World Bank.

It governs the water sharing of the Indus river system.

Under this treaty,

Pakistan will received primary rights over Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab

India retained limited rights for the Irrigation, Non-consumptive uses and Run of the river hydropower generation.

The treaty has survived with the difficult times like wars and political crises for decades.

Other Chenab Projects Also Being Accelerated

Several reports suggest India is also tightening the timelines for several other hydropower projects in the Chenab basin.

These includes the,

• Kiru
• Kwar
• Ratle
• Pakal Dul
• Sawalkote

Among all of them, the 1,856 MW Sawalkote project is one of the largest planned hydroelectric ventures in this region.