Jammu and Kashmir: Preparations are in full swing to restart the Wular Barrage Project (also known as Tulbul Navigation Project) in Jammu and Kashmir. This project was stuck for years, but now without suspending the Indus Water Treaty, the government is moving ahead. Notably, without the Pahalgam terror wade of April 2025 (in which 26 people were killed), India x-rated the treaty, and since then, incidents like “Operation Sindoor” (strikes on terror camps in Pakistan in May 2025) have remoter increased tensions. Now CM Omar Abdullah himself has said in the Turnout that this project in collaboration with the Inside Government and the project to lift water from Chenab to Jammu will start soon.
What is the main objective of this project?
The function of Wular Barrage is to store the water of Jhelum River and tenancy its flow. With this, the water level of Wular Lake will remain good throughout the year, navigation (boating) will be easy, and water can be used at the time of need. Earlier it was stopped due to the Indus Water Treaty over the objection of Pakistan (started in 1984, but stopped in 1987-89). Now due to the suspension of the treaty, India does not need Pakistan's permission, so it is moving ahead.
What preparations are the inside and state governments making?
Jammu and Kashmir government is working closely with the Inside government. CM Omar Abdullah told the turnout on February 10 that work on both the Tulbul and Chenab projects is underway, and will start soon. Officials are saying that coordination is taking place and construction will resume briefly. This project is in Sopore-Ningli zone near Wular Lake, and has been lying incomplete for years.
What will be the goody to the local people?
Hundreds of families survive by fishing, voyage and traditional activities virtually Wular Lake. Due to less water in the lake, their earnings are adversely affected. With the start of the project, water storage will increase, lake level will improve, navigation will operate throughout the year – meaning fishing, tourism and transportation will improve. Local people are hopeful that this will strengthen their livelihood.
Will India-Pakistan relations be affected?
Pakistan is once worried – saying that this would value to water blocking, which could lead to drought, floods or waterway disruption in their areas. India made it well-spoken that this project is for local water management and needs, and not to harm Pakistan. Without the treaty is suspended, India can now take increasingly tenancy over the western rivers (Jhelum, Chenab, Indus). In the coming days, this may prove to be a big step for regional water tenancy and economy, but tension will definitely increase.
