India Completely Stops Ravi River Water Flow To Pakistan Boosts Irrigation In Jammu And Kashmir And Punjab
Ravi River Water Flow Stops To Pakistan
Ravi River Water: Pakistan’s woes seem to be never-ending. Struggling with economic hardships, the neighboring country is now facing water scarcity as well. With the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam, the flow of water to Pakistan through the Ravi River has been completely halted. This claim has been made in media reports.
According to a report by The Times of India, the Shahpur Kandi Barrage is located on the border of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. After the construction of this barrage, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from 1150 cusecs of water, which was previously going to Pakistan. This water will be utilized for irrigation on 32 thousand hectares of land in Kathua and Samba districts.
Challenges Faced by the Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project
The Shahpur Kandi Barrage project, crucial for irrigation and hydroelectric production, has faced several challenges over the past three decades. However, after 29 years, its construction is finally complete. According to reports, the Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, under which India has rights over the waters of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, while Pakistan has rights over the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.
With the construction of the Shahpur Kandi Barrage, India now has the right to retain the water of the Ravi River. Previously, this water used to flow towards Pakistan via the Lakhnupur Barrage, but now Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from it.
Allocation of Water to Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab
This will provide irrigation to 32 thousand hectares of land in Jammu and Kashmir and five thousand hectares in Punjab. This land was turning barren due to insufficient water. Through the Shahpur Kandi project, Jammu and Kashmir will receive 1150 cusecs of water, and Punjab will receive 200 cusecs. Additionally, a target of 200 megawatts of electricity generation has been set.
However, it may take some time for the farmers of Jammu and Kashmir to receive their share of water as the construction of a 1378-meter-long canal to distribute water from the dam is not yet complete. It’s worth noting that while we have rights over the waters of the Ravi River, a portion of it used to flow into Pakistan.
Foundation Laid for the Shahpur Kandi Barrage in 1995
The foundation for this project was laid by PV Narasimha Rao in 1995. Due to several disputes between the Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir governments, the work on the Shahpur Kandi Barrage was halted. Then, in 2014, Union Minister Jitendra Singh raised this issue before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After PM Modi intervened, these disputes were resolved, and in 2018, the construction of this barrage resumed.
