Pakistan Challenges India's Hydel Projects Amid Indus Waters Treaty Dispute
Pakistan escalates, targets Kiru, Kwar and other Chenab hydel projects
The Economic Times
Image: The Economic Times
Pakistan has escalated its criticism of India's hydropower projects on the Chenab River, particularly targeting the 624 MW Kiru hydel project in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The Permanent Court of Arbitration is currently hearing disputes related to the Indus Waters Treaty, with Pakistan arguing that India's claims on water storage are exaggerated and could harm its interests downstream.
- 01Pakistan is targeting India's Kiru and Kwar hydel projects amid ongoing disputes over the Indus Waters Treaty.
- 02The Permanent Court of Arbitration is reviewing claims related to water storage and environmental flow provisions.
- 03Pakistan alleges that India's hydropower plans are designed to maximize water storage at the expense of downstream water availability.
- 04India is fast-tracking construction of hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, aiming for completion by 2026 and 2027.
- 05Pakistan has submitted detailed arguments questioning India's claims on pondage and environmental impact.
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Pakistan has intensified its objections to India's hydropower projects on the Chenab River, particularly the 624 MW Kiru hydel project in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. During recent hearings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Pakistan's representatives criticized India's claims about water storage, labeling them as 'wildly exaggerated'. They argue that India's construction of hydropower projects, including Kiru and Kwar, is aimed at maximizing water storage, which could adversely affect Pakistan's water supply. Pakistan's counsel highlighted that India's hydropower expansion, particularly for projects exceeding 300 MW, is occurring without adequate regard for treaty obligations. In its 81-page submission to the PCA, Pakistan specifically questioned India's claims regarding pondage at Kiru, asserting that it should only be allowed a maximum of 7.72 Mm3 of pondage, contrary to India's claim of 20.22 Mm3. The PCA is currently focused on the design and pondage issues of other projects but Pakistan is pushing to include these additional concerns in the discussions.
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The ongoing dispute over hydropower projects could affect water availability for agriculture and domestic use in Pakistan, as well as energy generation plans in India.
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