Following the government's decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, the central government is set to fast-track environmental clearances for all pending and proposed projects within the Indus River Basin. This move aims to maximize the utilization of water resources from the Indus River system, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and neighboring states.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that the ministry will ensure the swift granting of all necessary green clearances and regulatory approvals for these strategically important projects, while maintaining rigorous scientific standards during the appraisal process. This prioritization reflects the government's intent to expedite projects of strategic importance, especially after the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The projects awaiting clearances encompass a range of initiatives, including hydro-electric power projects like Uri stage-II (240 MW), Kirthai-II (930 MW), and Sawalkot (1856 MW). These projects are crucial not only for generating clean electricity but also for augmenting water storage capacity through the construction of accompanying reservoirs. Additionally, the government intends to expedite clearances for irrigation infrastructure and water storage projects in the region.
The decision to fast-track these projects was made during an inter-ministerial meeting involving officials from the Home, External Affairs, Power, and Jal Shakti ministries. Recognizing irrigation and power generation as key developmental priorities in the Indus River Basin, the government plans to streamline project implementation through priority funding in the medium and long term. This "all hands on deck" approach signifies a concerted effort to harness the untapped potential of the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
India has already undertaken measures to enhance water storage capacity, including the completion of flushing and desilting work on the Baglihar and Salal hydro-power projects on the Chenab River. These operations, previously subject to notification requirements under the Indus Waters Treaty, can now be carried out without informing Pakistan, given the treaty's suspension. The Power Ministry has been directed to accelerate the progress of four ongoing hydro-power projects and expedite clearances for three additional projects through consultations with experts.
Currently, India has only developed approximately 4,000 MW of hydro-power capacity out of an estimated potential of 20,000 MW on the western rivers. The accelerated approval process aims to bridge this gap and fully utilize the region's hydro-power potential. The government aims to commission four hydel power projects over the Chenab river and its tributaries in Jammu and Kashmir by 2027-28.
While the fast-tracking of green clearances is expected to boost development and water resource utilization, concerns have been raised by stakeholders in Sindh regarding the potential impact on water security and environmental degradation. The construction of new canals on the Indus River, proposed as part of the Green Pakistan Initiative, has faced opposition due to fears of reduced water flow downstream and adverse effects on the Indus Delta's ecology. Activists and environmental experts emphasize the need to balance development with environmental sustainability, advocating for comprehensive assessments to mitigate any potential harm to the region's delicate ecosystem.
