India has achieved a significant milestone in water resource management with the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Barrage on the Ravi River, while according to official reports, the project is scheduled to be fully operational by March 31. This development ensures that the surplus water of the Ravi River, which previously flowed into Pakistan due to a lack of storage infrastructure, will now be utilized within Indian territories. Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Rana confirmed that the primary objective is to provide adequate irrigation to the drought-prone districts of Kathua and Samba, ensuring that India exercises its full rights over the river's flow.
Historical Context and the 46-Year Project Timeline
The Shahpur Kandi project has a long and complex history, originating from an agreement signed in 1979 between the governments of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. The foundation stone was laid in 1982 by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. However, the project faced decades of delays due to inter-state disputes and administrative hurdles, while ' This intervention provided the necessary funding and coordination to accelerate construction, leading to its current state of completion.
Irrigation Benefits for Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab
The operationalization of the Shahpur Kandi Barrage is expected to transform the agricultural sector in the region, while according to technical specifications, the project will facilitate the irrigation of over 32,000 hectares of land. Specifically, it will provide water to 32,173 hectares in the Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir. On top of that, more than 5,000 hectares of farmland in Punjab will benefit from the regulated water supply. Beyond irrigation, the project includes provisions for hydroelectric power generation, which will contribute to the regional power grid and support local industrial growth.
Impact on Pakistan's Agriculture and Water Security
Pakistan, which relies heavily on the Indus River system for its agricultural output, is expected to face significant challenges due to the cessation of surplus water from the Ravi, while agriculture accounts for approximately 25% of Pakistan's GDP, and the Punjab province is its primary agricultural hub. Reports suggest that the reduction in water flow could affect irrigation schedules in regions surrounding Lahore and Multan. As Pakistan already grapples with water scarcity and economic instability, the full utilization of Ravi water by India underscores the critical nature of water management in the subcontinent.
Compliance with the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty
India's decision to divert and store the Ravi River water is strictly within the legal framework of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Under this international agreement, India has exclusive rights over the waters of the three eastern rivers: the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Conversely, the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—are allocated to Pakistan, subject to specific domestic and non-consumptive uses by India. By completing the Shahpur Kandi Barrage, India is merely establishing the infrastructure required to take advantage of its allocated share of water, which was previously unutilized and allowed to flow downstream into Pakistan.