Context:

India’s stalled Sawalkote Dam project on the Chenab River has recently re-emerged as a crucial component of the country’s strategy to harness the hydropower potential of the Chenab basin. This renewed focus comes amid increasing demand for clean energy and a strategic approach to utilizing water resources shared under international agreements.

About Sawalkote Dam:

The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project (HEP) is a significant infrastructure initiative proposed on the Chenab River in the Ramban and Udhampur districts of Jammu & Kashmir. This project aims to harness the hydropower potential of the Chenab River, contributing to India's energy security and economic development.

·         Capacity: 1,856 MW (comprising 8 units of 225 MW each and 1 unit of 56 MW for environmental flow)

·         Dam Type: 192.5-meter-high Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) gravity dam

Legal and Diplomatic Context:

The Chenab River, part of the Indus River System, is shared between India and Pakistan under the IWT signed in 1960.

·        The treaty allocates the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan, with India permitted to use them for non-consumptive purposes like hydropower generation.

·        However, recent geopolitical developments have led to India placing the IWT in abeyance, allowing for the revival of projects like Sawalkote

Strategic Significance:

·         Energy Security: The Sawalkote HEP is poised to become Jammu & Kashmir's largest hydropower project, surpassing the 900 MW Baglihar project. Once operational, it will significantly contribute to the region's energy needs.

·         Economic Development: The project is expected to boost local economies through job creation, infrastructure development, and enhanced power supply.

·         Environmental Considerations: The project's design includes measures to mitigate environmental impacts, such as the construction of a 56 MW auxiliary unit to maintain ecological flow.

About the Chenab River:

The Chenab River is a significant tributary of the Indus River system, which plays a vital role in the geography, economy, and politics of the region.

• Origin: The Chenab is formed by the confluence of two streams, the Chandra and Bhaga, in the Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh.
• Alternate Name: In its upper reaches, it is called Chandrabhaga.
• Course: The river flows through the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. After merging with the Jhelum River near Trimmu, it eventually drains into the Sutlej River.

Major Tributaries

The Chenab’s River system is fed by numerous tributaries, categorized as follows:

• Left Bank Tributaries: Niru, Tawi, Neeru, Liddrari
• Right Bank Tributaries: Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai, Marusudar, Miyar Nalla

Key Dams on the Chenab River

India has constructed several major dams on the Chenab to harness its hydropower potential:

• Salal Dam: A rockfill dam
• Aalal Dam: A concrete dam
• Baglihar Dam
• Dul Dam

Conclusion:

The Chenab River, with its vital ecological and geopolitical role, continues to be central to India’s water and energy strategy. The revival of stalled projects like the Sawalkote dam underscores India’s commitment to sustainable development, clean energy, and judicious water management under international frameworks like the Indus Waters Treaty.