Experts are increasingly voicing their support for the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Project, emphasizing the significant socio-economic advantages it could bring to Jammu and Kashmir. This renewed interest follows J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's recent call to resume the project in light of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) being kept in abeyance.

The Tulbul Navigation Project, also known as the Wular Barrage Project, has a long and complex history. It was initially launched in the 1980s with the ambitious goal of ensuring year-round navigation on the Jhelum River, connecting the three major districts of Kashmir: Anantnag, Srinagar, and Baramulla. The project also aimed to regulate water release from Wular Lake to maintain a minimum depth of 1.4 meters in the Jhelum during the lean winter months, thereby improving power generation downstream. Civil works on the project started in the early 1980s but were halted in 1987 due to objections from Pakistan, which cited clauses within the Indus Waters Treaty restricting storage along the Jhelum River.

With the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack, Omar Abdullah suggested that the government could resume work on Tulbul Navigation Barrage in the Wullar Lake in north Kashmir. Abdullah argued that resuming the project would allow the use of the Jhelum for navigation and improve power generation of downstream power projects, especially in winter. He posted a video on X showing Wular Lake and the suspended civil work of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage, stating that the project was abandoned due to pressure from Pakistan citing the Indus Waters Treaty.

Experts have highlighted that the project's completion would have several key benefits. Primarily, it would facilitate year-round navigation on the Jhelum River, boosting commercial trade, employment, and tourism in the region. The J&K government has stated the project aims to manage better water levels in the river during the lean season when the discharge recedes. A consistent water level is essential for enabling routine navigation, particularly in the 20-kilometer stretch from Wular to Baramulla via Sopore.

Furthermore, the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Project is expected to significantly benefit the energy sector. By ensuring a better discharge of water during the lean season, the project would enhance the unutilized capacities of downstream power projects like the NHPC-owned Uri-I and Uri-II, and the PDC-run Lower Jhelum.

The potential resumption of the Tulbul Navigation Project has sparked political debate. While Omar Abdullah has strongly advocated for its revival, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has termed the call as "irresponsible" and "dangerously provocative". Abdullah has countered by accusing Mufti of disregarding the "historic betrayal" that the IWT represents for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been denied the right to utilize their water resources.

Despite the political disagreements, there is a growing consensus among experts that the Tulbul Navigation Project holds immense potential for unlocking socio-economic opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. The project's ability to improve navigation, boost power generation, and stimulate economic activity makes it a vital initiative for the region's development.