In a major policy and infrastructure development following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the Government of India has approved another strategically significant hydropower project on the Chenab river. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s expert panel has granted environmental clearance to the 260 MW Dulhasti State-II Hydropower Project in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir, strengthening India’s push to utilize its hydropower potential on western rivers.
🏛️ Environmental Clearance and Strategic Importance
The approval was granted by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which assesses large hydroelectric projects across the country. This decision comes barely two months after the clearance of the 1,856 MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project in Ramban district, also located on the Chenab river.
Together, these approvals highlight a shift in India’s approach toward the utilization of western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—whose waters largely flow into Pakistan despite India having legally sanctioned rights for non-consumptive uses, including hydropower generation.
⚡ Key Details of the Dulhasti State-II Project
🔋 Project Capacity: 260 MW
💰 Estimated Cost: ₹3,200 crore
📍 Location: Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir
🏗️ Project Type: Extension of the existing 390 MW Dulhasti Stage-I
🚇 Water Diversion Mechanism: Water will be diverted from Stage-I through a separate tunnel
🌍 Land Requirement: Over 8 hectares of private land to be acquired from Benzwar and Palmer villages
The project is expected to enhance regional power supply while supporting infrastructure development in a strategically sensitive area.
🌊 Chenab River and India’s Untapped Hydropower Potential
The Chenab is one of the three western rivers of the Indus basin, along with the Indus and Jhelum. Under the IWT, these rivers were largely allocated to Pakistan, while India retained rights for hydropower generation that does not significantly alter river flows.
However, due to limited storage capacity and prolonged regulatory processes, India has so far developed only 3,482 MW of hydropower capacity in Jammu & Kashmir, against an estimated potential of nearly 20,000 MW that could be harnessed from projects on the western rivers.
📜 Understanding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with mediation from the World Bank, governs water sharing in the Indus Basin:
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🌱 Eastern Rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi): Allocated to India for unrestricted use
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💧 Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab): Allocated largely to Pakistan, with limited rights for India
With the treaty currently on hold, India has greater flexibility to accelerate hydropower development within its legal framework.
🔮 Strategic and Regional Implications
Beyond energy generation, hydropower projects like Dulhasti State-II carry strategic significance, especially in border regions. They contribute to energy security, local employment, infrastructure development, and improved grid stability while reinforcing India’s control over its rightful water resources.
✅ Conclusion
The approval of the Dulhasti State-II Hydropower Project marks another critical step in India’s evolving water and energy strategy in the post-Indus Waters Treaty phase. By accelerating hydropower development on the Chenab river, India aims to bridge the gap between its vast untapped potential and actual energy production.
As more projects receive clearance, the focus will remain on balancing strategic interests, environmental safeguards, and regional development. In the long run, effective utilization of western rivers could significantly enhance India’s energy resilience while reshaping the geopolitical and economic dynamics of the Indus basin.