Web Desk: India has granted approval for the Dulhasti Stage II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a decision Pakistan views as a clear breach of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Indian government has finalized authorization for the project, triggering alarm in Islamabad due to its potential implications for downstream water rights. Planned in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, the project is expected to produce approximately 260 megawatts of electricity.
With an estimated budget of 327.745 billion Indian rupees, construction is anticipated to commence early next year. The development will be carried out by NHPC Limited, a government-owned Indian power company.
Analysts warn that the project could negatively affect Pakistan’s strategic and water security interests, as the Chenab River falls under Pakistan’s share according to the Indus Waters Treaty. The move is seen as contradicting the treaty’s framework, especially after India’s recent announcement regarding its unilateral suspension.
Under the Dulhasti Stage II plan, much of the existing infrastructure from the earlier Dulhasti Stage I project will be reused. The original 390-megawatt facility, completed in 2007, operates on a run-of-the-river model. The new phase will rely on the same dam structure, reservoir, and water intake system to generate additional power.
