India has begun work on the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. The project, estimated at Rs 5,129 crore, is the first new hydropower project to move ahead after the abrogation of the Indus Water Treaty. It is being developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in the Udhampur and Ramban districts. The project is strategically because it is located on the Chenab, a western river covered under the treaty framework.
Project Profile
The Sawalkote project is planned as a run-of-the-river scheme. It will be developed in two stages. Stage One will have a capacity of 1,406 MW, while Stage Two will add 450 MW. The total installed capacity will be 1,856 MW. The project site lies between the Baglihar project upstream and the Salal project downstream.
Strategic and Legal Context
The project has gained importance after the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty framework. The treaty had governed the use of the Indus basin rivers between India and Pakistan. The move to proceed with Sawalkote reflects a shift towards faster development of hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, especially on rivers with strategic relevance.
Clearance and Implementation
An expert committee under the environment ministry cleared the project in October. Following this approval, NHPC invited bids for construction. The documents indicate that the construction plan and equipment selection have been designed to enable early commissioning of the project.
Why It Matters
The project is for power generation, regional infrastructure, and water resource strategy. It may improve electricity supply in Jammu and Kashmir and strengthen India’s hydroelectric capacity in the western Himalayan region.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026