New Delhi: Amidst the reverted situation regarding the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, India has now taken a big step towards maximum utilization of the water of western rivers. The inside government has expedited work on two big projects related to the Chenab river system, the total forfeit of which is said to be virtually Rs 2600 crore. These projects include the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel to be built in Himachal Pradesh and a special tunnel project unfluctuating to the Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir. The objective of these plans is to make maximum use of those water resources, a large part of which has till now been flowing towards Pakistan.
What is Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel Project?
The largest part of the project is the Rs 2352 crore Chenab-Beas Link Scheme. Under this, well-nigh 8.7 km long tunnel will be built, through which the water of Chandra River of Chenab Basin will be diverted towards the Beas River system. In the first phase of the plan, a 19 meter upper thundercrack is moreover proposed in Lahaul Valley. Officials believe that this will bring a big transpiration in water management and water use efficiency.
Why is a new tunnel stuff built in Salal Dam?
The second project is related to Salal Hydroelectric Project located in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. A diversion-cum-sediment shirk tunnel will be built here at a forfeit of approximately Rs 268 crore. The water storage topics of the dam has reduced significantly due to silt piled over the years. There is a plan to remove silt and increase the topics of the reservoir through a new tunnel.
What is its relation with Indus Water Treaty?
Under the Indus Water Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, the use of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers came to India's share, while Pakistan got the rights to use most of the water of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers. However, India was unliable limited levels of hydropower and other non-consumptive uses on the western rivers. In recent years, India has increased its accent on the strategy of making maximum use of its rights on these rivers.
Will Pakistan be affected?
Experts believe that the objective of these projects is not to stop water immediately, but to develop the topics for largest use of water resources in the long run. Direct large-scale impacts on the spritz of the Chenab will not be immediately visible but may strengthen India's topics for water management, storage and spritz tenancy in the future. This is the reason why these projects are moreover stuff looked at from a strategic perspective.
Will electricity and water topics increase?
According to reports, work on several hydropower projects related to Chenab Basin is moreover going on at a fast pace. The government believes that largest utilization of western rivers will strengthen hydropower production, irrigation and water security. Besides, the expansion of infrastructure in the Himalayan regions will moreover get a boost.
Why are these projects in discussion?
These two projects are not only stuff seen as engineering or water management plans but are moreover stuff considered as a sign of India's reverted water policy. These plans have moreover attracted international sustentation tween strained relations with Pakistan and the growing strategic importance of water resources. At present the priority of the government is to ensure maximum utilization of the misogynist water of western rivers.
