Indus Waters Treaty on hold, green panel's nod for another hydel power project on Chenab, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The Environment Ministry’s EAC has recommended clearance for the 260-MW Dulhasti Stage-II hydroelectric project on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.
• NHPC Limited will develop the project at an estimated cost of Rs 3,277.45 crore, utilizing the existing infrastructure of the 390-MW Dulhasti-I project.
• The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs water sharing between India and Pakistan, has been in abeyance since April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack.
• The project involves diverting surplus water from the Marusudar river via the Pakal Dul project, potentially altering the hydrology of a 25 km stretch of the river.

Detailed Insights:

• The Dulhasti Stage-II project aims to utilize surplus water diverted from the Marusudar river through the Pakal-Dul powerhouse into the Dulhasti reservoir.
• Following the suspension of the IWT, India has expedited several hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin, including Sawalkote, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, Kirthai-I and II.
• The EAC has mandated the development of a river conservation strategy to mitigate the impacts of hydrological alterations resulting from the operations of Dulhasti-II and the Pakal Dul dam.
• The Chenab basin already hosts three operational projects: Dulhasti-I (390 MW), Baglihar (690 MW), and Salal (690 MW), with additional projects like Ratle (850 MW), Kiru (624 MW), and Kwar (540 MW) under construction.
• The Dulhasti Stage-II project will require 60.3 hectares of land, including the acquisition of 8.26 hectares of private land from 62 families in Banzwar and Palmar villages.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indus Waters Treaty (IWT): A treaty between India and Pakistan regulating the distribution and use of water from the Indus River system.
• Run-of-the-river scheme: A hydroelectric project that utilizes the natural flow of a river without significant water storage.
• Hydrological alteration: Changes in the natural flow patterns, volume, and distribution of water in a river system.