Srinagar: India has effectively halted Ravi water flow into Pakistan with the construction of the Shahpur Kandi Barrage on the river Ravi, marking a significant strategic change in water allocation.
This action is expected to provide agricultural benefits to the Jammu and Kashmir region. Now, the region will receive a minimum of 1,150 cusecs of water that was previously designated for Pakistan. This water is anticipated to be used for irrigation, bringing advantages to more than 32,000 hectares of land in the Kathua and Samba districts.
The Shahpur Kandi Barrage is a dam constructed on the river Ravi, located in the Pathankot district of Punjab, India.
Jammu and Kashmir will also have access to 20 percent of the hydroelectric power generated from the dam.
In addition to benefiting Jammu and Kashmir, the water from the dam will also support the states of Punjab and Rajasthan.
The completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage, was delayed due to a domestic dispute between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. In 2018, the central government intervened and facilitated an agreement between the states. Subsequently, the work commenced and has now been successfully completed. However, this delay resulted in a significant portion of water that rightfully belonged to India being diverted to Pakistan over the years.
Previously, as per the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, a segment of the Ravi River’s water was directed into Pakistan through the Lakhanpur dam. However, with the construction of the Shahpur Kandi Barrage, this flow has been halted, enabling India to utilise its allotted portion of the river’s resources entirely.
This action is in accordance with the treaty, which designates India as having exclusive control over the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, while Pakistan has rights over the water of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
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