The Sawalkote Hydropower Project, a 2,185 MW run-of-the-river plant on the Chenab River, is undergoing revival by NHPC and JKSPDC at a cost of ₹22,704 crore. The project, initially planned six decades ago, faced setbacks due to the Indus Waters Treaty and environmental issues but has now been reinitiated.
Key Features of the Sawalkote Hydropower Project
Location and River
- Situated on the Chenab River in the Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir
- A run-of-the-river project to minimize large-scale displacement
Capacity and Design
- Installed capacity: 2,185 MW, making it the largest hydro project in J&K and one of North India’s largest
- Dam Type: 192.5-metre roller-compacted concrete gravity dam
- Expected annual generation: Over 7,000 million units of electricity
Implementing Agencies
- To be executed jointly by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd and the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC)
Benefits
- Boost to winter power supply in J&K, reducing seasonal shortages
- Potential to turn J&K into a power-surplus region, enabling energy export
- Flood mitigation downstream by regulating Chenab’s flow
- Improved water management for agriculture and domestic use
Connection with the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)
About the Treaty
- Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, with the World Bank as mediator
- Divides the Indus River System into Eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej — allocated to India) and Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab — primarily for Pakistan)
- India’s Rights: Limited use of Western rivers for domestic needs, navigation, flood control, agriculture, and hydropower generation, without altering flow
Dispute Resolution Mechanism
- Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): Handles technical issues
- Neutral Expert: Appointed by the World Bank or both countries for unresolved disputes
- Court of Arbitration: A seven-member tribunal for legal conflicts
Why It Matters for Sawalkote
- The Chenab River falls under the Western rivers
- Sawalkote’s revival signifies India’s assertive stance post holding the IWT, possibly reshaping water-sharing dynamics with Pakistan
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- The Sawalkote Hydropower Project in J&K is being revived to add 2,185 MW capacity on the Chenab River, with an estimated cost of ₹22,704 crore.
- The project aims to make J&K a power-surplus region, benefiting from improved water management and flood mitigation.
- The Indus Waters Treaty divides rivers between India and Pakistan, with Sawalkote’s revival potentially impacting water-sharing dynamics.
