The Union Cabinet has recently approved a significant move towards clean energy production in the form of a new Ratle hydropower project. This 850 MegaWatt (MW) power station will be constructed on the Chenab river, located in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India.
About the Ratle Hydroelectric Project
The Ratle Hydroelectric Project will be a run-of-the-river type, set on the Chenab River within the Kishtwar district of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. A significant feature of this project will be a 133-meter tall gravity dam alongside two power stations placed adjacently. The combined installed capacity of both power stations will be an impressive 850 MW.
The foundation stone of the dam was laid by the then Indian Prime Minister in June 2013. Since then, Pakistan has repeatedly alleged that the construction violates the Indus Water Treaty, 1960.
Latest Approval and Investment
This recent approval involves an investment of about Rs. 5282 crore. The commissioning of this project is expected to be completed within 60 months.
Pakistan’s Objections and Indus Water Treaty
In 2013, the Pakistan government raised objections to the dam’s construction, claiming it was not in conformity with the Indus Water Treaty. However, in August 2017, the World Bank permitted India to carry on with the dam’s construction. Pakistan has lodged fresh protests with the World Bank, but the Centre has now decided to proceed with the construction regardless.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, allows India total control of all Eastern Rivers waters, while Pakistan receives unrestricted use of the Western Rivers waters.
Benefits of the Power Project
From a strategic perspective, this development comes amid India’s plan to expedite strategically important hydropower projects in the union territory after its reorganization. This initiative aims to fully utilize India’s share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.
In terms of socio-economic development, the project’s construction will directly and indirectly employ around 4000 individuals. An increase in disposable income will subsequently lead to regional socio-economic development.
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will also benefit from free power worth Rs. 5289 crore, providing cheaper rates of electricity to the region. The generated power will also help balance the grid and improve the overall power supply position.
Government Revenue and Other Projects
The Ratle Hydro Electric Project is expected to provide substantial government revenue through the levy of Water Usage Charges for the project’s life cycle of 40 years.
In addition, there are several other projects underway in the Chenab Basin including the Kiru Hydro Electric Project, Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project, Dulhasti Power Station, and Salal Power Station.
Chenab River Source and Route
The Chenab river rises in the upper Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh state. It is formed from the confluence of two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi, located 8 km southwest of Keylong in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district. Making its way through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, the river flows into the plains of Punjab, Pakistan before merging into the Indus River.
