New Delhi India is working on the construction of 10 hydroelectric projects totaling 6.8 gigawatts (GW) in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to fully utilize its share of the waters under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan.
Projects being started with the investment of The Rs 68,000 crore by state-run NHPC Ltd is part of India’s plan to exercise its rights to stop excess water from flowing into Pakistan.
These projects assume strategic importance against the backdrop of China developing the controversial China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, given that control of the river’s water flow acts as a force multiplier at times of invasion.
India has taken a similar approach on its eastern borders and plans to build the country’s second largest dam at Yingkiong in Arunachal Pradesh to divert water from the river into the Brahmaputra to counter China’s ambitious plan.
According to NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Abhay Kumar Singh, the projects being built by the public sector undertaking include 1,000 MW Pakal Dul Project, 850 MW Ratle Project, 624 MW Kiru Project and 540 MW Kvar Project.
In addition, India’s largest power generation firm has produced 1,856 MW Savalkot (J&K), 930 MW Keerthai-II (J&K), 500 MW Dugar (HP), 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II (J&K). ) and also planned to make 260 MW. Dulhasti Stage-II (Jammu and Kashmir).
Mint earlier reported about the Union government’s plan to expedite strategically important hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir after reorganizing it into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. India is also working on a plan to divert the waters of the Ujh, one of the main tributaries of the Ravi that flows into Pakistan.
“Pakistan keeps objecting, but we have the Indus Water Treaty. On the basis of Indus Water Treaty we developed Kishanganga, Uri and others and on the basis of that treaty we are developing these projects.
According to the Indus Water Treaty, whoever builds a project first will have the first right over the waters of the river. The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and exchange of information between the two countries regarding the use of six rivers- Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.
The move comes four years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project of NHPC Limited to the nation. The 330 MW project on the Kishanganga River, a tributary of the Jhelum, has significant strategic importance. Pakistan challenged the project under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, but the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled in India’s favor in 2013. Apart from Kishanganga, Pakistan had also objected to the Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects on Chenab. ,
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs last month approved the construction of the 540MW Kvar project by Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt Ltd. Ltd. is a joint venture between NHPC Limited and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited.
“The construction activities of the project will result in direct and indirect employment to around 2500 people and will contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from this, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will get the benefit of almost free electricity. 4,548.59 crore and 4,941.46 crore along with water usage charges from Kwar Hydro Electric Project, during the project life cycle of 40 years,” the power ministry said in an April 27 statement after the approval of CCEA.
rituraj.baruah@livemint.com