The statement assumes significance in the backdrop of Pakistan’s objections raised on the construction of Sawalkote dam project in July last year and February this year with India and had sought consultation (Source: www.thehindu.com)

India’s Sawalkot Dam project raises concerns over treaty compliance, water security, and hydro-political tensions.

India’s Sawalkot Dam project raises concerns over treaty compliance, water security, and hydro-political tensions.

Pakistan must rise above its internal inefficiencies and build a resilient water infrastructure, assert its rights through

Introduction Six months after New Delhi unilaterally put the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) ‘in abeyance’, India has fast-tracked the construction of the Sawalkot hydropower project on the Chenab rive...

India’s Sawalkot Dam project raises concerns over treaty compliance, water security, and hydro-political tensions.

Introduction Six months after New Delhi unilaterally put the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) ‘in abeyance’, India has fast-tracked the construction of the Sawalkot hydropower project on the Chenab river without conducting an effective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Environment Ministry (India) granted final approval of the project, having been informed by the Home Ministry […]

The Sawalkot project, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant on the Chenab River in the Ramban and Udhampur districts of the Union Territory, was initially conceptualised in 1984 but had remained shelved for years due to objections raised by Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty framework.

India is advancing its hydropower potential on the Chenab River with the approval of the 260 MW Dulhasti State-II project in Jammu & Kashmir. This strategic move, following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, aims to harness the river's untapped capacity. The project, an extension of an exis… (Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

NEW DELHI: Acting swiftly on projects of strategic significance following suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), an expert committee of the environment ministry has recommended environmental clearance for constructing the Sawalkot hydroelectric project on Chenab in Ramban district of J&K.The 1,856-MW project is a major hydropower initiative on Chenab, one of the western rivers along with Indus and Jhelum that currently flow unchecked to Pakistan despite India's right to use it for non-consumptive purposes, including hydro-power generation. The construction will begin after meeting UT govt's formalities.Sawalkot project to be built in two phases, estimated cost Rs 31,380crThe Sawalkot hydroelectric project by NHPC is a run-of-the-river project that will be using water of Chenab river in Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur districts of the UT.It will be constructed in two phases (6x225MW & 1x56MW for Stage 1, and 2x225MW for Stage 2) in an area of 1,401 hectares at an estimated cost of Rs 31,380 crore.

NHPC estimates will require the project to invest £22 700 crore, while the state major already spent £973 CRORE in a detailed report on the project (DPR). The project is expected to generate approximately one -year revenue £4 024 Crore on the planned tariff £5.5 per unit and plant load factor around 45%, according to industry estimates. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is interviewing the Ministry of Power of the Union to either develop the Sawalkot project independently through Kashmir Power Development Corp.