Sawalkote hydropower project on Chenab gets fresh environmental clearance

A high-level committee of the Ministry of Environment has granted a fresh environmental clearance to the Sawalkote hydropower project proposed to come up on the Chenab river in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir.

Planned as a river project using the flow of the Chenab river to generate electricity, it is reportedly the first major hydropower project to be given environmental clearance on the Indus rivers after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack.

“The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), after reviewing the information submitted and detailed deliberations, reiterated its earlier recommendation on the project and recommended the grant of preliminary Environmental Permit to the Sawalkote HE Project,” the minutes of a meeting held on September 26, 2025 said.

The project was first granted environmental clearance in 2017 by a designated committee while being guided by the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC). However, JKPDC signed an agreement with National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd in 2021 to construct and commission the project and be effectively responsible by 2061.

Despite the designated committee giving approval, the Ministry of Environment failed to approve the project due to JKPDC’s failure to ensure forest clearance following a parallel approval process. According to public records, the project was first called ‘1.’ in September 2023. ‘stage forest clearing’ permission was given.

Also read: Indus Waters Treaty suspended: India has many options, expert says

Project cost is increasing

While the process of handing over the project to NHPC has been ongoing since 2021, multiple approvals were received from the Central Electricity Board and the Central Water Commission in July 2025. Public hearings required under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act were held between December 2022 and February 2023.

“The Sawalkote project was already going through various stages of approval. Considering its size – though not a storage dam – it will be the largest project of its kind and has always had a certain strategic importance. The suspension of the IWT and the plan to tap the full potential of the eastern Indus rivers has added momentum to the approval process,” said a senior official aware of the approval process of hydropower projects. Hindubut he refused to be identified.

The Sawalkote project will consist of a 192.5m high Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) gravity dam consisting of six generator units with a capacity of 225 MW and one unit with a capacity of 56 MW in the first phase and two units with a capacity of 225 MW in the second phase of development. From an earlier estimate of around 22,000 crore, the estimated cost of the project has increased to 31,380 crore.

It is expected to have an installed power capacity of 1856 MW and to produce approximately 8,000 million units of electricity annually. The project, which has a reservoir area of ​​approximately 1,159 hectares, 847 hectares of which is forest area, is expected to expand to 1,401 hectares. Total 13 villages from two tehsils viz. Ramban and Gool Sangaldan in Ramban district will be affected due to land acquisition for construction of Sawalkote HPP components and 1,477 families are expected to be displaced, requiring resettlement. ₹190 crore was provided for their resettlement and rehabilitation.