How govt is fast-tracking 4 big hydropower projects in Kashmir after Indus Waters Treaty suspension

India has advanced the start date of four under-construction hydropower projects in the Kashmir region after the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, according to a Reuters report, citing government document and an industry source.

The updated schedule for the projects, whose construction Pakistan generally opposes because it fears it would lead to less water downstream, is another sign of how India is trying to take advantage of its unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 following a deadly attack in Pahalgam last month, which claimed 26 lives, added the report.

India’s decision to suspend the treaty and expedite these projects signals a significant policy shift aimed at asserting greater control over its water resources in response to cross-border terrorism.

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Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reaffirmed government’s stance, saying that the decision to put a freeze on the Indus Water Treaty will not be reversed and that India’s water will flow for India’s benefit.

Speaking at an ABP Network event on Tuesday evening, PM Modi said, “These days, there is a lot of discussion in the media about water… Earlier, even the water that was India’s right was flowing out of the country. Now, India’s water will flow for India’s benefit, it will be conserved for India’s benefit, and it will be used for India’s progress”.

According to Reuters, citing the document, Modi government has asked authorities to clear hurdles to speedy construction of four hydro projects with a combined capacity of 3,014 megawatts.

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The four projects are: Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Kwar (540 MW) and Kirthai Stage-1 (930 MW). All of them are on the Chenab River, whose waters are mainly meant for Pakistan but India is allowed to build run-of-water hydro projects without any significant storage.

We take a look at progress so far on each project as India accelerates strategic hydropower development following treaty withdrawal:

1. Pakal Dul HE Project (1,000 MW)

• Features the highest concrete-faced rock-fill dam in India at 167m; 72m of dam height already constructed with 24.78 lakh cubic meters filled
• Head Race Tunnel excavation underway at a fast pace — critical to project completion
• Spiral casing for Unit-1 and Unit-2 completed in February 2024
• Government has approved setting up transmission lines to expedite power evacuation
• Consents for power supply received from Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka

2. Kiru HE Project (624 MW)

• Dam concreting works are vital; 3.5 lakh cubic meters completed out of a total 13.95 lakh cubic meters
• Project is progressing in line with scheduled timelines
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 543 MW signed with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL)
• Consents for power purchase received from Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka

3. Kwar HE Project (540 MW)

• Achieved major milestone in January 2024 with diversion of River Chenab — paving the way for dam construction
• Main dam works now actively underway
• PPAs signed with CSPDCL and GUVNL
• Power purchase consents received from Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka

4. Kirthai Stage-1 (930 MW)

• A run-of-river project located 25 km upstream of Kiru in Kishtwar district, J&K
• Designed to generate 3,329.52 million units annually (90% dependable year)
• Includes 121m high concrete gravity dam
• Project launch cleared after India suspended IWT — previous requirement for treaty clearance no longer applicable

With inputs from agencies