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The transfer that has despatched shockwaves by way of Islamabad’s political corridors marks the primary main strategic infrastructure push since India positioned the IWT in abeyance.
India has began work on the Rs 5,129 crore Sawalkote hydroelectric undertaking on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir after pausing the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. (Picture: PTI/File)
Pakistani media has been rattled after the Narendra Modi authorities formally set in movement the 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydroelectric Challenge on the Chenab River — a growth first revealed by CNN-News18.
The transfer that has despatched shockwaves by way of Islamabad’s political and media corridors marks the primary main strategic infrastructure push since India positioned the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, signaling New Delhi’s resolve to proceed with crucial hydropower tasks in Jammu & Kashmir.
The information of the Sawalkote undertaking has triggered a meltdown throughout Pakistani media retailers with main information channels and nationwide dailies working marathon transmissions accusing India of making an attempt to “dry up Pakistan,” as discovered by CNN-News18.
A number of retailers went so far as labeling the undertaking as “Fifth Era Warfare” and coining the time period “Water Terrorism.”
Panels and editorials during the last 48 hours have framed the event as a part of a broader “dewatering technique,” alleging that India intends to weaponize water flows from the Chenab basin.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Overseas Workplace spokesperson expressed the event as “grave concern,” and vowed to battle what it known as a violation of the 1960 treaty whereas India maintained this undertaking was inside its developmental rights.
“We have now formally sought detailed data from India concerning the Sawalkote undertaking. Pakistan is not going to compromise on its water rights,” the spokesperson mentioned.
In response to the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, India mentioned any growth undertaking undertaken inside the nation is predicated by itself “understanding”.
“Any growth undertaking that occurs in India is predicated on our understanding. That’s how we have a look at this specific undertaking,” the MEA mentioned.
Officers have underlined that Sawalkote is designed as a run-of-the-river undertaking — a class permitted underneath the treaty framework — and doesn’t contain diversion of water exterior the river basin.
The Pakistan overseas workplace has formally requested consultations and data concerning the Sawalkote dam undertaking, with the spokesperson saying the matter has been raised on the degree of the Indus water commissioners.
Pakistan’s Indus water commissioner reportedly issued letters in July, and as just lately as 11 February, to their Indian counterpart searching for data and consultations mandated by the IWT.
Whereas Pakistan known as for a return to full treaty compliance, India maintained its sovereign proper to handle its personal infrastructure, particularly because the undertaking follows a interval the place the IWT has been successfully paused by the Centre.
What Is Sawalkote Dam Challenge?
The Sawalkote hydroelectric undertaking is an enormous enterprise by the NHPC Ltd, at an estimated value of Rs 5,129 crore.
Positioned within the Udhampur and Ramban districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the undertaking is located on the Chenab River positioned between the present Baglihar undertaking upstream and the Salal undertaking downstream.
The undertaking will characteristic a Curler Compacted Concrete Gravity Dam with a peak of 192.5 m from the deepest basis degree, guaranteeing river diversion by way of three horseshoe-shaped tunnels, as per the tender doc. An underground Energy Home might be constructed on the left financial institution of the Chenab River, downstream of the dam, with an put in capability of 1,800 MW divided into eight items of 225 MW every.
Moreover, a 56 MW energy station will utilise the launched water to fulfill environmental stream necessities, bringing the whole plant capability to 1,856 MW (1,800 + 56 MW).
The undertaking plans for non-monsoon and monsoon interval flood diversion at 2,977 cumec and 9,292 cumec, respectively. The three diversion tunnels will measure 965 m, 1,130 m, and 1,280 m in size. The undertaking is designed as a run-of-the-river scheme.
The undertaking was initially conceived within the Nineteen Sixties by the Central Water Fee, with geological investigations carried out by the Geological Survey of India between 1962 and 1971. The Detailed Challenge Report was final submitted in February 2018.
Sawalkote additionally types a part of a broader push to fast-track hydropower infrastructure on the Chenab river system, alongside tasks such because the Pakal Dul, Kiru, and Ratle dams.
February 14, 2026, 21:01 IST
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