Contents
Introduction
In April 2025, after India declared that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) would be held in abeyance until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border terrorism, another major step followed — the approval of the SawalKot Hydropower Project on the Chenab River.
This project marks a strategic and environmental milestone, strengthening India’s rights over the western rivers within the limits of the Indus Waters Treaty while boosting clean energy in Jammu & Kashmir.
What is the SawalKot Project?
The SawalKot Hydropower Project is a massive upcoming power project located on the Chenab River near Ramban (J&K).
It’s designed to generate 1,865 MW (1.9 GW) of clean energy — making it bigger than Pakistan’s Mangla Dam (1.3 GW) on the same river system.
Key Project Highlights
- River: Chenab (one of the western rivers under IWT)
- Location: Ramban district, Jammu & Kashmir
- Installed capacity: 1,865 MW (approx. 1.9 GW)
- Storage capacity: 530 million cubic meters (≈ 0.43 million acre-feet)
- Project Type: Run-of-the-river with limited storage
- Environmental Clearance: Granted “in-principle” by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Why is the SawalKot Project Important?
1. Largest Project on the Chenab River
It will surpass all other Indian projects in the Chenab system — including Baglihar (890 MW), Salal (690 MW), and Dulhasti (390 MW).
This makes it India’s biggest western river hydropower project under the Indus Waters Treaty.
2. Strategic Use Within the Treaty
While 80% of Indus basin waters are allocated to Pakistan, India is legally permitted limited use of western rivers for:
- Irrigation: Up to 13.4 lakh hectares in J&K and Ladakh
- Storage: Up to 3.6 million acre-feet (MAF) of water
India currently uses only 6.4 lakh hectares for irrigation — leaving enough scope to expand within treaty limits.
The SawalKot project’s 0.43 MAF storage is well within the permissible capacity under IWT.
3. Balancing Development and Diplomacy
India isn’t violating the treaty. Instead, it’s maximizing its allowed rights for energy and irrigation, ensuring that every drop stored supports domestic development while staying compliant with international law.
4. Climate and Energy Significance
Located in a fragile Himalayan region, SawalKot represents climate-resilient infrastructure — generating renewable power while offsetting carbon emissions and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
5. Shifting Geopolitical Dynamics
The project subtly reshapes Indo-Pak hydropolitics. It signals that India is ready to fully exercise its treaty-enshrined rights, especially as the IWT faces growing scrutiny under climate change and security realities.
The Broader Context
India’s approval of SawalKot comes amid discussions that the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) is now outdated. Signed between Jawaharlal Nehru and Ayub Khan, it divided six rivers of the Indus Basin — giving western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan, and eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India.
However, with shrinking glaciers, altered monsoon patterns, and rising population pressures, experts argue that the treaty needs revision to reflect modern realities.
📘 UPSC Relevance
UPSC GS Paper 2 & 3 Topics Covered:
- India and its Neighbourhood Relations
- International Treaties & Agreements
- Water Resources Management
- Climate Change & Sustainable Development
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Key Takeaways for UPSC Mains:
- India’s rights under the Indus Waters Treaty
- Geopolitical and environmental implications of the SawalKot Project
- Climate change impact on river-sharing treaties
- Role of hydropower in India’s renewable energy transition
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💬 FAQs
- #UPSCGeography – What is the SawalKot Project, and why is it significant under the Indus Waters Treaty?
- #UPSCEnvironment – How does the SawalKot Project align with India’s climate goals and environmental commitments?
- #UPSCInternationalRelations – How does the SawalKot Hydropower Project impact India–Pakistan relations under the Indus Waters Treaty?
- #UPSCMains – Why is India maximizing its Indus Treaty rights instead of withdrawing from the agreement?
