Jammu & Kashmir Government Accelerates Hydropower Development Following Indus Water Treaty Suspension
The Jammu & Kashmir government announced on Friday that it has significantly accelerated the pace of construction for ongoing hydropower projects across the union territory. This strategic move comes in direct response to the Central government's decision to place the longstanding Indus Water Treaty in abeyance.
Ambitious Capacity Expansion Targets
According to official statements, the total installed hydropower capacity in Jammu & Kashmir is projected to reach approximately 11,000 megawatts by the year 2035. This represents a substantial increase from the current installed capacity of 3,540 megawatts, effectively tripling the region's hydropower generation capabilities within the next decade.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also oversees the power portfolio, provided detailed insights in a written reply to the Legislative Assembly. "In the backdrop of the Indus Water Treaty being kept in abeyance, the pace of construction of ongoing projects has accelerated," Abdullah stated. "Additionally, the process of identifying potential storage projects has also been expedited to maximize the utilization of the remaining hydropower potential."
Historical Context of the Indus Water Treaty
The Indus Water Treaty, originally signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, established a framework for sharing the waters of the Indus river system. Under this agreement:
- India received full rights for utilization of waters from the three eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej
- Pakistan obtained rights over the three western rivers: Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum
- The upper riparian region of this extensive river system falls within Indian territory
India suspended the treaty last year following the Pahalgam terror attack, as part of a series of comprehensive measures announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This suspension included putting the decades-old water-sharing agreement on hold indefinitely.
Comprehensive Hydropower Development Strategy
Chief Minister Abdullah revealed that Jammu & Kashmir possesses an estimated hydropower potential of approximately 18,000 megawatts, with 15,000 megawatts already identified through detailed assessments. "Of the identified potential, 3,540.15 megawatts (representing 24%) has been developed to date," he explained.
The government has formulated and is currently implementing a comprehensive roadmap for hydropower development over the next ten years. This strategic plan positions the union territory on a fast track to achieve its ambitious capacity expansion goals by 2035.
New Hydropower Policy Framework
Omar Abdullah further detailed that the draft Jammu & Kashmir Hydel Policy 2025 has been developed based on lessons learned from previous initiatives and outcomes of earlier policies. This new framework is designed to stimulate development across multiple fronts:
- Private Sector Participation: The policy aims to attract significant private investment into the hydropower sector, particularly for projects on smaller rivers and streams
- Socio-economic Development: Project developers will be required to supply free power and pay royalties to Jammu & Kashmir after a specified period following commercial operations commencement
- Employment Generation: The initiative is expected to create substantial job opportunities during both construction and operational phases of new projects
The Chief Minister emphasized that these measures will collectively uplift the socio-economic status of local populations while ensuring sustainable energy development for the region. The accelerated project implementation reflects a strategic response to changing geopolitical circumstances while capitalizing on Jammu & Kashmir's substantial natural hydropower resources.
