Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project

The Government of India has revived the long-delayed Kirthai Stage-II Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir, nearly one year after placing the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance.

About Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project

• The Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project is a 930 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project planned on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir..

• The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP), a joint venture established for harnessing the hydropower potential of the Chenab River basin.

• The ownership structure comprises NHPC Limited, which holds a 51% stake, and the Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC), which owns the remaining 49% stake.

• Being a run-of-the-river project, Kirthai-II generates electricity by utilizing the natural flow of the river with only limited water storage.

• The project has a planned reservoir storage capacity of 51.26 million cubic metres (MCM), which is primarily intended for operational regulation rather than long-term water storage.

Major Engineering Features

The Kirthai-II project has been designed with advanced engineering infrastructure to maximize power generation efficiency. It includes a 121-metre-high concrete gravity dam, which provides structural stability by using its own weight to resist the pressure of the impounded water.

Chenab River

• The Chenab River is one of the largest and most important tributaries of the Indus River System.

• It is classified as one of the Western Rivers under the Indus Water Treaty (1960) and plays a vital role in the hydropower potential of northern India.

Origin

The Chenab River originates in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, where it is formed by the confluence of the Chandra River and the Bhaga River at Tandi.

Course of the River

• After its formation, the Chenab flows through the rugged Himalayan terrain of Himachal Pradesh before entering the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, where it passes through deep gorges and valleys, making it highly suitable for hydropower development.

• The river subsequently enters Pakistan, where it receives the waters of the Jhelum River near Trimmu.

• It eventually joins the Sutlej River, and together they become part of the larger Indus River System, which ultimately drains into the Arabian Sea.

Tributaries of the Chenab River

The Chenab River receives water from numerous tributaries that strengthen its flow throughout its course. On the left bank, its important tributaries include the Niru, Tawi, Neeru, and Liddrari rivers. On the right bank, it is joined by the Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai, Marusudar, and Miyar Nalla.

Major Hydroelectric Projects on the Chenab River

• The Chenab River possesses one of the highest hydropower potentials in India and hosts several strategically important hydroelectric projects.

• Among these are the Salal Hydroelectric Project, which is based on a rockfill dam, the Aalal Hydroelectric Project, which utilizes a concrete dam, the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project, one of India's major run-of-the-river power stations, and the Dul Hydroelectric Project, which is designed as a storage-based project.

• The Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project is another significant addition that will further strengthen India's renewable energy capacity in the Chenab basin.

Significance of the Kirthai-II Project

The revival of the Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project is strategically important for India's energy security, water resource management, and renewable energy expansion. By increasing hydropower generation from the Chenab River, the project supports India's commitment to expanding clean energy while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.