Why in the News?

• India has completed the Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project, halting the flow of water from the Ravi river into Pakistan after 45 years of waiting.
• Under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, India possesses exclusive rights to the waters of the Ravi river, enabling it to utilize the resource for local agricultural purposes.

What are the Potential Benefits for India of stopping Ravi River Water to Pakistan?

• Water Security: Retaining Ravi river water can enhance water security for Indian regions. The Jammu and Kashmir region will now benefit from the 1,150 cusecs of water that was previously allocated to Pakistan.
• Agricultural Productivity: By ensuring access to Ravi river water, India can support increased agricultural productivity and efficiency, promoting sustainable farming practices and boosting food security
• Economic Opportunities: Retaining control over Ravi river water can lead to the creation of new job opportunities, additional revenue streams from commercial activities along the riverbanks, and improved habitat quality supporting biodiversity
• Urban Development: Halting the flow of Ravi river water to Pakistan can facilitate the development of sustainable urban areas along the riverbanks, contributing to planned urban housing and economic growth in India.
  • India can implement modern waste management systems, promote recycling industries, and adopt circular economies for sustainable water usage and protection of ecosystems.
• Health Benefits: India can ensure cleaner drinking water sources, reducing health risks associated with contaminated water and enhancing public health outcomes.

About Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project

• It is located on the Ravi River, in Punjab’s Pathankot district, near the border of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
• Project Evolution:
  • The foundation stone of the Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project was laid by then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in 1995.
  • In 2016, the government started to optimize water resources from the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers for Indian farmers, leading to renewed efforts to complete the project.
  • Finally, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab signed an agreement in 2018 to resume work on the Shahpur-Kandi dam project, which had been hanging fire for the last 40 years.
• Project Capacity:
  • The project comprises a 5 m high concrete gravity dam, a 7.7 km long hydel channel, two head regulators, and two powerhouses.
  • It is expected to generate up to 206MW of electricity and provide irrigation to Punjab (5,000 Ha) and Jammu and Kashmir (32,173 Ha).

Try this PYQ from CSP 2021:

Q. With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus directly?​

a) Chenab ​

b) Jhelum​

c) Ravi ​

d) Sutlej

Q. Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations. (UPSC 2016)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now