The Union Water Resources Minister recently announced the Indian government’s decision to restrict water flow to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty 1960. The move aims to utilize the water that India has been allocated in full, instead of letting it flow to its neighbor.
Understanding the Indus Waters Treaty
The treaty covers the Indus system, comprising the main Indus River, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. This water network is primarily shared by India and Pakistan, with smaller shares dedicated to China and Afghanistan. As per the 1960 agreement between India and Pakistan, the waters from Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas, known as the Eastern Rivers, are exclusively for India. The Western Rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – largely cater to the water needs of Pakistan.
However, the treaty has certain provisions. It allows India to utilise the waters of these Western rivers for domestic, non-consumptive, and agricultural uses. India also has the right to generate hydroelectricity through run-of-the-river (RoR) projects on these rivers, subject to specific design and operation guidelines.
Dams Built By India To Utilize Eastern Rivers
To maximise the benefits of the Eastern Rivers, India has constructed several dams, including the Bhakra Dam on Satluj, Pong and Pandoh Dam on Beas, and Thein (Ranjit Sagar) on Ravi. In addition to these, other undertakings like the Beas-Sutlej Link, Madhopur-Beas Link, Indira Gandhi Nahar Project, etc., have enabled India to nearly utilize the entire share of the Eastern rivers’ waters (approximately 95%).
| Dam | River | Utility |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakra Dam | Satluj | Multi-Purpose |
| Pong and Pandoh Dam | Beas | Hydroelectricity, Irrigation |
| Thein (Ranjit Sagar) | Ravi | Electric generation and Irrigation |
Initiatives to Halt Unused Water Flow Into Pakistan
Despite efforts, approximately 2 MAF (Million Acre Feet) of water annually from River Ravi is reported to continue flowing unused to Pakistan below Madhopur. To curb this and fully capitalize on its share, India has initiated the following steps:
- Shahpurkandi Project: This endeavor aims to harness the waters from Thein dam’s powerhouse for irrigation and power generation in J&K and Punjab. The Punjab Government, under the monitoring of the Indian Government, undertakes the construction work.
- Construction of Ujh multipurpose project: The initiative will create a water storage facility on the Ujh river, a Ravi tributary, for irrigation and power generation. The plan is set to complete over six years from the beginning of implementation.
- The 2nd Ravi Beas link below Ujh: This project is planned to tap the excess water flowing into Pakistan through River Ravi, even after constructing Thein Dam. The government aims to divert the water to the Beas basin by constructing a barrage across River Ravi.
These three initiatives are crucial steps towards enabling India to fully harness its water share as per the Indus Waters Treaty 1960.