Sawalkote Hydropower Project

The Sawalkote Hydropower Project is back in the spotlight as India moves to revive this long-delayed initiative.

Overview of the Sawalkote Hydropower Project

The Sawalkote Hydropower Project is a 2,185 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant proposed on the Chenab River in Ramban District, Jammu and Kashmir.

• Location: Ramban District, Jammu and Kashmir, on the Chenab River.

• Capacity: 2,185 MW, making it the largest hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir and one of the biggest in North India.

• Cost: Estimated at ₹22,704 crore.

• Dam Type: The project involves the construction of a 192.5-meter roller-compacted concrete gravity dam.

• Annual Generation: Expected to generate more than 7,000 million units of electricity annually.

• Role in Power Supply: The project aims to improve power availability in Jammu and Kashmir, especially during winter, when electricity shortages are common.

Significance and Benefits

• Energy Surplus Potential: The project has the potential to transform Jammu and Kashmir from an energy-deficit region to an energy-surplus one, facilitating the export of surplus energy to the national grid.

• Flood Mitigation: By regulating the flow of the Chenab River, the project will contribute to flood mitigation downstream, addressing long-standing issues in the region.

• Water Management: It could also help in better water management, benefiting agriculture and domestic water use.

Background

• The Sawalkote project was initially conceptualized in the 1980s, but was delayed repeatedly due to various environmental and technical challenges.

• The project has been impacted by India’s commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs water use in the Indus River system.

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and Its Role in Delays

Signed in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a critical agreement between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank acting as a mediator. Here's a quick rundown of the treaty’s key provisions:

• Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej): Exclusively allocated to India for unrestricted use.

• Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab): Primarily allocated to Pakistan. However, India is permitted to use these rivers for certain non-consumptive purposes such as:

  • Hydropower generation

  • Flood control

  • Agriculture and domestic use

  • Navigation without altering the flow of the rivers.

• Water Allocation: Pakistan has access to about 70% of the water in the Indus River System, while India retains the remaining 30%.

• Dispute Resolution Mechanism: The IWT includes three mechanisms:

  • Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): Deals with technical and interpretational issues.

  • Neutral Expert: Appointed to resolve unresolved technical disputes.

  • Court of Arbitration: A seven-member tribunal that adjudicates legal disputes when other mechanisms fail.

Implications of Reviving Sawalkote Project

• Impact on the IWT: The revival of the Sawalkote hydropower project comes in the backdrop of India’s decision to put the IWT on hold. For decades, the treaty had restricted India’s use of the Chenab River, particularly for large-scale hydropower projects like Sawalkote. India’s move to revive the project suggests a shift in approach, likely driven by regional security and strategic concerns.

• Diplomatic Tensions: The project’s revival could raise diplomatic tensions with Pakistan, as it directly involves one of the Western rivers (the Chenab). However, India has insisted that the project complies with the IWT's stipulations of non-consumptive use.

• Water Sharing Disputes: This development could renew discussions over water sharing between India and Pakistan, especially as climate change exacerbates water scarcity in the region.

Conclusion

The Sawalkote Hydropower Project is set to be a game-changer for the energy landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, providing critical power supply and water management solutions. However, its revival amid ongoing tensions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty highlights the complex intersection of regional security, diplomatic relations, and energy needs.