India Tightens Vigil Over Pakistan’s Water Supply; Massive ₹2,620 Crore Plan Devised to Divert the Course of the Chenab River. India keeps a tight watch on Pakistan’s water supply. A mega plan worth Rs 2,620 crore is ready to divert the Chenab river.

After the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has now taken a very aggressive step on the diplomatic and strategic front to remind Pakistan of its status. The Central Government, which has already postponed the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), has now started working on a huge action plan to completely stop the water flowing towards Pakistan and put it to India’s use. The government is rapidly considering two huge infrastructure projects worth Rs 2,620 crore to divert surplus water from the Chenab river basin to Himachal Pradesh. The direct impact of this historic and strategic decision of the Center will be that the states of North India facing severe water crisis like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi will now be able to get more water than before, while 4,000 MW additional hydroelectricity can be generated in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh.

Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel: Strategic Masterstroke to Defeat Dragon and Pakistan

According to an investigative report by the famous newspaper ‘Tribune’, the main focus of the Government of India at present is to completely divert the excess water of Chenab’s main tributary ‘Chandra’ (Lahaul Valley) into the Beas river system. To make this seemingly impossible task possible, it is proposed to construct an 8.7 kilometer long tunnel by cutting through the inaccessible hills of Himachal Pradesh.

Under this mega project, which will be built at a huge cost of about Rs 2,352 crore, a 19 meter high state-of-the-art barrage will also be built in Lahaul Valley. This tunnel will be such a unique and amazing example of Indian engineering that it will completely conserve the surplus water of the river for India’s domestic use by preventing it from flowing unnecessarily into the Pakistani border.

See at a glance the main and important figures of both water projects

You can easily understand the comparative and complete information about these two big infrastructure projects being started by the Government of India in the national interest from the table given below:

‘Terrorism and water cannot flow together’, know why this strict step was taken

After the increase in cowardly terrorist activities from across the border in recent times, New Delhi’s stance is as clear as glass that India will no longer tolerate Pakistan’s dual policy. Following the principle of ‘terrorism and water cannot flow together’, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has started the development of this indigenous infrastructure on a war footing.

• Following the attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed terrorists, India has taken a very tough stance and completely suspended the decades-old Indus Water Agreement.

• The government has taken a policy decision at the top level that not a single drop of water coming from Indian soil will be allowed to flow towards Pakistan in vain.

• Under this, 100 percent use of the water of western rivers i.e. Indus, Jhelum and Chenab will now be ensured completely within the borders of India for agriculture, irrigation and energy needs.

“This project will prove to be a game-changer for the entire North India” — Indian politicians and experts

Hailing this historic and bold step of the Government of India, senior politicians of Himachal Pradesh have called it a historic turning point and game-changer for the entire country.

“The Chenab-Beas Tunnel Project is of strategic importance for the security and prosperity of the northern states. It will prevent surplus water from the Indus Water System from flowing into Pakistan and divert this precious water resource towards our dry lands of Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan.”

— Jairam Thakur, former Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh

“The construction of a 19 meter high barrage and a long tunnel in a difficult place like Lahaul Valley will not only increase the production of clean energy in the country to a record level, but will also ensure better, scientific and comprehensive use of the water of the rivers originating from India. This step is a boon for the coming generations.”

— Anurag Thakur, MP, Hamirpur

What will be its ground impact on Indian states? Thirsty Delhi and dry Rajasthan will get a lease of life

With the completion of this ambitious and huge water diversion project on the ground, a very large agricultural area of ​​North India is going to get a new lease of life. Especially in the desert areas of Rajasthan and states like Haryana which are facing severe drought and falling groundwater level, the irrigation system will be completely improved, due to which the crops of the farmers will flourish. Apart from this, the acute shortage of drinking water that occurs every year during the summer season in the country’s national capital Delhi can also be eliminated forever through this additional water. India’s move is not only a huge diplomatic and strategic victory against Islamabad, but also a concrete roadmap to make the domestic economy and agriculture sector self-reliant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is this Indus Water Treaty (IWT)?

This was an international water sharing agreement between India and Pakistan in 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank. Under this, complete control of three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) was given to India and control of three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) was given to Pakistan with certain conditions.

2. What will be the total cost of completing the Chenab-Beas Link Project?

The estimated total cost of this entire strategic and security related project has been fixed at ₹2,352 crore. Apart from this, another special bypass tunnel is being constructed separately at a cost of ₹268 crore to increase the efficiency of Salal Dam located in Jammu and Kashmir.

3. Which states of India will directly benefit from the construction of this tunnel project?

This tunnel project will first generate huge amount of electricity in Himachal Pradesh. After this, crores of farmers, common citizens and industries of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan will get direct and permanent benefits from the water diverted from there.

4. Why has the Indian government suddenly postponed the Indus Water Agreement?

After the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has taken a very strict and zero-tolerance stance on the issue of national security, sovereignty and cross-border sponsored terrorism, and has taken a major decision to suspend this agreement indefinitely.