NewsGlobalIndia Accelerates Four Major Chenab Hydropower Projects with Strict Commissioning DeadlinesIndia Accelerates Four Major Chenab Hydropower Projects with Strict Commissioning Deadlines
India has fast-tracked four major Chenab hydropower projects with strict deadlines following Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's inspection. The Pakal Dul (1,000 MW) and Kiru projects must be commissioned by December 2026, while Kwar has a March 2028 deadline. The strategically important Ratle project (850 MW) is also being accelerated. These developments carry significant implications as the Chenab is part of the Indus basin, with nearly three-fourths of Pakistan's water originating from western rivers flowing through India.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
The Centre has issued firm directions to accelerate four major hydropower projects on the Chenab river system, setting strict commissioning deadlines following a comprehensive review by Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The two-day ground inspection covered multiple dam sites in Jammu and Kashmir, with officials receiving clear instructions that deadlines will be strictly enforced.
Project Timeline and Specifications
The accelerated development schedule encompasses strategically important projects across the Chenab basin:
| Project | Capacity | Dam Height | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakal Dul | 1,000 MW | 167 metres | Kishtwar | December 2026 |
| Kiru | - | 135 metres | Kishtwar | December 2026 |
| Kwar | - | 109 metres | Chenab | March 2028 |
| Ratle | 850 MW | 133 metres | Chenab | 2028 |
Strategic Significance of Pakal Dul Project
The Pakal Dul hydropower project stands as the most consequential development in this initiative. As the largest project in the Chenab basin at 1,000 MW capacity, it represents India's highest dam at 167 metres and marks a significant milestone as the country's first storage project on a western river flowing into Pakistan. Built on a tributary of the Chenab, the project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018.
Once operational by December 2026, Pakal Dul will provide India with capabilities extending beyond power generation, enabling regulation of water flow timing—a development that carries strategic implications for downstream regions.
Parallel Development of Kiru and Kwar Projects
The Kiru project, also situated in Kishtwar district, features a 135-metre dam on the Chenab designed as a run-of-the-river facility. Its strategic value lies in its integration within a chain of upstream and downstream projects, with the Centre establishing the same December 2026 commissioning deadline as Pakal Dul.
The Kwar project achieved a significant engineering milestone in January 2024 with the successful diversion of the Chenab river to enable construction activities. This 109-metre run-of-the-river dam on the Chenab now operates under a firm March 2028 commissioning timeline.
Ratle Project Acceleration
The 850 MW Ratle project involves a 133-metre-high dam on the Chenab and has faced opposition regarding its spillway design. During the recent ministerial visit, the foundation stone for the dam's concreting works was laid, signaling accelerated development. The Chenab was diverted through tunnels for this project in 2024, with completion expected by 2028.
Additional Developments
India is also advancing the Dulhasti Stage-2 project on the Chenab, which received Environment Ministry panel clearance in December and will be constructed following the operational Dulhasti-I project. Pakistan has raised objections to this clearance, claiming inadequate notification, which India has rejected.
Regional Water Dynamics
The Chenab forms part of the Indus basin system, with nearly three-fourths of Pakistan's water originating from western rivers flowing from India. Over 90% of Pakistan's agriculture depends on this basin, with the entire network of dams and canals built around it, meaning nine out of ten Pakistanis rely on water that first flows through Indian territory.
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