New Delhi: The guns may have fallen silent but India will continue to hit Pakistan where it hurts the most. If sources are to be believed, New Delhi is fast-tracking the massive Rs 22,700 crore Sawalkot hydroelectric project on River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. Construction of the first phase of the project is likely to start early next year.
The project, which will generate 1,856 MW of electricity, was stalled due to Pakistan’s objections, thanks to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) that has now been suspended by India. The project will not only generate electricity but divert water for agricultural purposes to the Reasi and Udhampur districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Government of India may appoint NHPC as the nodal body to supervise the project, officials believe. The Sawalkot project is one of four key hydroelectric ventures in Jammu and Kashmir with a combined capacity of over 3,100 MW.
The project is described as a run-of-the-river project that will not store massive volumes of water, but generate consistent hydro power and regulate seasonal flow. Experts believe that it is an economic and ecological win for India and a strategic squeeze on Pakistan.
“India may not have signed the IWT in 1960. Yet, we agreed to share water as a display of our goodwill. Unfortunately, Pakistan turned started behaving in an extremely belligerent manner over the last several years, objecting to any sort of infrastructure build-up along the river system. We were unable to exercise our rights. Things have now changed,” an official said.
Pakistan has already started complaining of reduced flow in the Chenab. But, that has nothing to do with this project, work on which is yet to start. In 2021, the Jammu and Kashmir forest department had recommended environmental clearance, clearing the decks for fast-track execution.
Jammu and Kashmir is pushing for a stake, either through its state power companies or as a joint venture partner. The promise of massive revenue returns and job creation in the region makes this a politically appealing project too.
