Indus Waters Treaty on hold, green panel’s nod for another hydel power project on Chenab

While giving its nod, the panel noted that the water of the Chenab basin is shared between India and Pakistan, in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), 1960, and the parameters of the project were planned in accordance with the Treaty. “However, the Indus Water Treaty stands suspended effective from 23rd April, 2025”, the panel noted in its minutes.

The Indian government put the IWT in abeyance after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, in which 26 people were killed. Under the now-suspended treaty, Pakistan controlled the waters of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, while India controlled the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. After the IWT was put in abeyance, the Centre has sought to expedite several hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin, such as Sawalkote, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai-I and II.

The clearance will be subject to general and some important specific conditions, including the development of a river conservation strategy to mitigate the impacts of hydrological alterations due to the operations of Dulhasti-II and Pakul Dul Dam.

“It was noted that the Dulhasti Stage-II HEP is planned to utilise surplus water to be diverted from the Marusudar River through the Pakal-Dul powerhouse into the Dulhasti reservoir. Downstream of diversion of Pakal Dul HEP, about 25 km stretch of Marusudar river, will undergo significant hydrological alteration upon commissioning of the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project,” the committee noted.

In light of these plans, it directed a structured river conservation strategy, covering aspects related to robust environmental flow regimes, restoration and maintenance of channel morphology, protection and conservation of aquatic and riparian biodiversity.

The Chenab River basin already has three operational projects on it—the 390-MW Dulhasti-I project at Kishtwar, the 890-MW Baglihar at Ramban, and the 690-MW Salal project at Reasi. Apart from these, other projects under construction on Chenab include the Ratle (850MW), Kiru (624 MW), and Kwar (540 MW) projects.

The Dulhasti Stage-II project will require an area of 60.3 hectares, as per information submitted to the EAC, and a public hearing was conducted on August 22 in Banzwar village, where the powerhouse is proposed. Private land spread over 8.26 hectares will be acquired from 62 families in the Banzwar and Palmar villages of Kishtwar district.