Construction of Shahpurkandi Dam on river Ravi in Punjab approved

Construction of Shahpurkandi Dam on river Ravi in Punjab approved

The Union Cabinet on 06 Dec gave its nod to the implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam project in Punjab on the river Ravi in an attempt to minimise wastage of water of the river, which currently flows downstream to Pakistan.

For implementing the project, central assistance of ₹485.38 crore for the irrigation part would be given over five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23.

How it will benefit Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab?

The ambitious Shahpurkandi dam project on the Ravi river is a major irrigation project which will benefit both Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Jammu and Kashmir is entitled to 0.69 MAF of water from the Ravi and it is utilising only 0.215 MAF.

On completion, the project has an irrigation potential of 5,000 hectares in Punjab and 32,173 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir.

Punjab would also be able to generate 206 MW of hydro-power.

Can Pakistan object?

It may be noted that the Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 for sharing of Indus waters. According to the treaty, India got the full rights for utilization of waters of the three eastern Rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.