India Water Strike / India will do water strike on Jinnah's country, this plan will change the whole game!

India Water Strike: After the Pakistan-backed terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India gave a befitting reply at the diplomatic and military level. Under Operation Sindoor, India has already given a blow to Pakistan by suspending the Indus Water Treaty. Now the news is that the Modi government has prepared to restart the stalled Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu and Kashmir. This project can prove to be a big threat to Pakistan, as it will give India more control over water resources.

What is Tulbul Navigation Project?

The Tulbul Navigation Project is a water storage and navigation project to be built on the Jhelum River near Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir. It was started in 1984, in which a 439 feet long and 40 feet wide navigation lock was to be built at the mouth of the Wular Lake. Wular Lake, which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, is the centerpiece of this project.

The main objective of this project is to ensure navigation even during water shortage in the Jhelum River. For this, the depth of the river will be maintained at least 4.5 feet by storing about 3 lakh acre-feet of water in the Wular Lake. This will increase the movement of boats between Srinagar and Baramulla, which will boost trade and connectivity. Also, this project will be helpful in irrigation and power generation.

However, due to opposition from Pakistan, the project was stopped in 1985. In 1986, Pakistan raised the issue before the Indus Water Commission, and in 1987 it came to a complete standstill. In 2010, the Jammu and Kashmir government tried to revive it, but did not succeed. In 2012, terrorists carried out a grenade attack on the dam of the project, and in 2016, the then minister Taj Mohiddin claimed that 80% of the work had been completed between 2008-2014, but subsequent governments abandoned it.

How will India benefit?

The Tulbul Navigation Project is beneficial for India in many ways. Under the Indus Water Treaty, India has full rights over eastern rivers like Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, while most of the water of western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) goes to Pakistan. However, India is exempted from non-consumptive use of water from western rivers, such as navigation, power generation and limited water storage. The Tulbul project falls under this exemption.

Increase in navigation: Increase in navigation in the Jhelum river will strengthen trade and connectivity in Kashmir, which has historically been an important part of the region.

Economic development: Promoting local markets, job creation and better connectivity will boost the economy of Kashmir and India.

Water management: Water wastage will be reduced and local needs can be met during the dry season.

National Waterways Scheme: This project will boost the Central Government's Waterways Development Scheme, which will reduce dependence on road transport and make freight transportation more effective.

Why does Pakistan object?

Pakistan believes that the Tulbul project will give India the capacity to store 3 lakh acre-feet of water, which will allow it to control the water of the Jhelum river. This could lead to a shortage of water for agriculture in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab region, which is heavily dependent on these rivers. Pakistan considers this a violation of the Indus Water Treaty, while India says that the project is in accordance with the terms of the treaty.

Pakistan's economy, especially agriculture, is dependent on the water of these rivers. If India controls the water supply, Pakistan may face economic and social crisis. This is why Pakistan sees this project as a 'water war'.