The Sawalkot hydropower project is a proposed 1,856 MW run-of-the-river initiative located on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ramban district. Its primary objective is to harness hydropower potential from the rivers allocated to India under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Although environmental clearance was granted in 2018, forest clearance has yet to be finalized, lingering for over six years.
India has escalated efforts to develop hydropower on rivers designated to it under the IWT, particularly after the suspension of the treaty’s execution following the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2022. The Sawalkot project is integral to this larger initiative, aimed at asserting India’s rights over its share of Indus waters.
Established in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty allocates the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India, while the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan. India is permitted to utilize the western rivers for “non-consumptive” purposes such as hydropower generation, so long as it does not store or divert water in a manner that adversely affects downstream flows.
The project is being managed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The implementation will necessitate the diversion of 847.17 hectares of forest land and 554.18 hectares of non-forest land.
Numerous significant projects are underway or in the pipeline along the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, including:
These initiatives are part of India’s broader strategy to fully leverage its share under the treaty.
Challenges such as security sensitivities, delays in obtaining environmental clearances, and the rugged terrain have complicated project implementation. The need for carrying capacity and cumulative impact studies has also been a significant hurdle due to security concerns in the Indus basin region.
The Indian government aims to generate nearly 12 GW of additional hydropower capacity in Jammu & Kashmir. This effort not only addresses local energy demands but also strengthens India’s control and utilization of its allocated water resources.
Indeed, recent scientific studies indicate that peak flows in the eastern rivers may occur by 2030, while those in the western rivers might not peak until 2070. This disparity could render previous water-sharing assumptions obsolete, potentially necessitating renegotiation of treaty terms in the future.
Indian officials contend that Pakistan hinders infrastructure development and employs cross-border terrorism to destabilize the region. Such actions are viewed as violations of the goodwill-based framework established by the treaty.
The expedited execution of hydroelectric projects bolsters India’s energy security, affirms its treaty rights, and prevents unutilized water from flowing to Pakistan. Furthermore, it serves as a deterrent and counterbalance to ongoing political and military tensions in the area.
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