With Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, Jammu and Kashmir plans to harness river waters

The Jammu and Kashmir government plans to take advantage of the suspended Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by diverting water from the Ravi river in Punjab to the Jammu region for the first time and pushing for the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Dam project in the Kashmir region.

Official sources said Prime Minister Omar Abdullah conveyed the issue to the Centre. The Tulbul project, which started in 1984, reached an impasse when Pakistan objected under the IWT in 1987. However, the Center suspended the agreement in 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack.

In its renewed efforts, the J&K government has made a proposal to the Center to make year-round navigation possible in Wular lake by maintaining minimum water depth, which is not possible due to IWT. Officials said this is likely to bring new life to Wular lake and surrounding agricultural areas.

The J&K government has also proposed construction of a large water pump from the Chenab river in Akhnoor to meet the future needs of Jammu. Additionally, the government has proposed to divert excess water from Ravi in ​​Punjab to nourish the barren lands of Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu region.

The Shahpur Kandi dam, adjacent to Punjab, is likely to be completed this year and will stop excess water flow from the Ravi to Pakistan, officials said.

J&K Water Resources Minister Javeed Rana said, “Excess water from Ravi river (in Punjab) going to Pakistan will be stopped and diverted to Kathua and Samba districts, which are drought-affected areas. This project is our priority.” Hindu.

Under the IWT signed by the two countries in 1960, India has full rights over the three eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. The agreement allowed Pakistan full rights over the three western rivers, the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.