The Indian government has revived the 930 MW Kirthai Stage II project on the Chenab River in Kishtwar, J&K. This follows the suspension of India’s participation in the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) after the 2025 Pahalgam attack, enabling the resumption of critical infrastructure previously stalled by Pakistani objections.
Project Specifications
- Type: Run-of-river scheme utilizing natural river flow.
- Capacity: 930 MW (underground and dam toe powerhouses).
- Dam: 121-meter-high concrete gravity dam (219.80 m length).
- Key Feature: 17 MCM live storage capacity for daily peaking operations.
- Implementation: Executed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (a JV of NHPC-51%, JKSPDC-39%, and PTC India-10%).
Chenab Basin Cascading Projects
- Operational: Salal (690 MW), Baglihar (900 MW), Dul Hasti (390 MW).
- Under Construction/Revived: Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Kiru (600 MW), Kirthai Stage II (930 MW).
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- River Origin: Formed in Lahaul-Spiti (HP) by the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers; known as Chandrabhaga in its upper course.
- IWT Framework: The 1960 treaty allocates the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan, though India retains rights for limited run-of-river projects without altering total downstream volumetric flow.
- Run-of-River Principle: Diversion of a portion of water through a tunnel/penstock to turn turbines before returning it to the main channel; avoids large reservoir-based total flow blockage.
- Permanent Indus Commission: Established under Article VIII of the IWT for bilateral dispute resolution; currently suspended by India.