When India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in April this 12 months after the Pahalgam terrorist assault, Pakistan was not solely shocked however burst with verbal rhetoric. It warned India that if no water, then blood will circulation within the Chenab. Nevertheless, India has remained agency and is now planning the largest water strike in opposition to Pakistan. After almost 40 years in limbo, India is gearing as much as revive one among its most bold hydroelectric ventures — the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Undertaking on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Atmosphere Ministry’s professional appraisal committee on river valley and hydropower initiatives has lately really useful the undertaking for environmental clearance, marking a significant breakthrough in India’s water technique alongside its western frontier, reported the Indian Categorical.
The 1,865 MW undertaking, being developed by NHPC Ltd, is slated to grow to be one of many largest hydroelectric vegetation on the west-flowing Chenab. As soon as accomplished, it’ll considerably increase India’s capability to make the most of the river water for its personal advantages.
A Undertaking 4 Many years within the Making
Initially conceived in 1984, the Sawalkote undertaking confronted a number of hurdles — from environmental considerations and seismic dangers to political sensitivities linked to the Indus basin. The renewed clearance marks a decisive coverage shift.
The undertaking design incorporates a 192.5-metre-high concrete gravity dam, making a reservoir with a storage capability of 530 million cubic metres, unfold throughout 1,159 hectares. The undertaking might be executed in two levels — Stage I with an put in capability of 1,406 MW, adopted by Stage II including one other 450 MW.
Reviews say building may start as early as 2026, as soon as all clearances and land acquisition processes are finalized. The estimated price is projected to exceed Rs 20,000 crore, with NHPC anticipated to deal with each building and operation.
Strategic Significance
The renewed urgency round Sawalkote follows India’s choice to place the Indus Waters Treaty “in abeyance” after the Pahalgam terror assault in April 2025. The 1960 Treaty, brokered by the World Financial institution, grants Pakistan management over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, whereas India retains rights over the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej.
Nevertheless, the treaty permits India restricted rights to construct run-of-the-river initiatives on the western rivers for hydroelectric energy era — rights New Delhi is now eager to completely train. The Union Dwelling Ministry has described the undertaking as of ‘strategic significance’, saying swift implementation was ‘important for leveraging the Chenab river’s potential’ given the ‘present geopolitical situation’.
Hydropower Hub In Making
The Chenab basin already hosts a number of main hydropower initiatives, making it a core zone of India’s power and strategic planning in Jammu and Kashmir. Amongst them are:
* Dulhasti Undertaking (390 MW) in Kishtwar
* Baglihar Undertaking (890 MW) in Ramban
* Salal Undertaking (690 MW) in Reasi
Collectively, these initiatives have turned the Chenab right into a key pillar of India’s renewable power infrastructure, in addition to a strategic counterweight in regional water politics.
Specialists word that when operational, Sawalkote will double India’s hydropower era from the Chenab, permitting higher water regulation and flood management. It’s also anticipated to offer 1000’s of native jobs and improve power reliability in northern India.
New Part in India’s Water Diplomacy
For India, the revival of Sawalkote is greater than an infrastructure undertaking — it represents a strategic assertion of hydrological rights underneath the Indus Waters Treaty framework. Because the nation seeks to strengthen its renewable power portfolio and reinforce its stance in water diplomacy with Pakistan, the Chenab River may quickly grow to be each an emblem of power resilience and a software of strategic leverage. It should additionally allow India a larger capability to carry Chenab water, thus hurting Pakistan.