New Delhi: Pakistan’s unease over India’s water technique is intensifying. Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), information of a contemporary Indian hydropower initiative on the Chenab River has additional heightened Islamabad’s issues. Officers in Pakistan now worry that India’s new transfer will escalate the problem they face.
The Indian authorities has cleared the trail for a strategically necessary water undertaking in Jammu and Kashmir. A panel underneath the Ministry of Atmosphere not too long ago accepted the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower undertaking in Kishtwar. This comes two months after approval was granted for the 1,856-megawatt Sawalkot hydropower undertaking in Ramban district on the identical river.
Analysts say these approvals are doubtless so as to add to Pakistan’s rising unease.
Throughout Operation Sindoor, the suspension of the IWT already despatched a powerful sign to Pakistan. Now, with the Dulhasti Stage-II undertaking, India has strengthened that it’ll not compromise on its water useful resource pursuits.
These two initiatives collectively will maximise the utility of the Chenab River, one of many main western rivers, together with the Sindh and Jhelum, whose waters have largely flowed unused into Pakistan.
Till now, India has harnessed solely a fraction of the estimated 20,000 megawatts potential from hydropower on the western rivers in Jammu and Kashmir. Present amenities, together with the 390-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-I, which has been efficiently working since 2007, account for simply 3,482 megawatts.
With an estimated price of Rs 3,200 crore, Dulhasti Stage-II will increase Stage-I capability. The undertaking plans to divert water from Stage-I via a separate tunnel to boost energy technology.
Information of the Chenab hydropower undertaking rapidly reached Pakistan, triggering robust reactions in Islamabad. Initially, Islamabad responded with warnings and diplomatic appeals, however these efforts have up to now yielded little influence.
Home debates are additionally happening inside Pakistan concerning the implications of India’s determination. Senator Sherry Rehman stated, “Utilizing water as a weapon is neither smart nor acceptable.”
With these approvals, India has signalled that it intends to totally leverage its water assets, highlighting its strategic priorities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mixed with earlier measures just like the IWT suspension, this step, say analysts, sends a message to Pakistan that India is decided to guard its pursuits and absolutely utilise the rivers inside its management.