Feasibility study being conducted
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 16: In what could be a major setback for Pakistan following suspension of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) after April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Central Government has proposed construction of 113 kms long canal to transfer surplus water from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to prevent it from flowing to the neighbouring country.
“A feasibility study is being conducted for transferring surplus water from J&K to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. The project will potentially reduce water flow to Pakistan,’’ sources told the Excelsior.
The Government proposed to connect existing canal structure through multiple tunnels at various locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
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The proposed 113 kms tunnel is expected to be taken up segment-wise prioritizing 13 locations for required connections with existing canals.
“The plan to divert water from Indus river system is centered on three rivers including Jhelum, Chenab and Indus which flow to Pakistan. New canals will divert the excess water,’’ the sources said, adding that, as per the proposal, the canal construction working linking Chenab with Ravi-Beas-Sutlej system can take at least three years.
They said the Indus water can be taken to Ganganagar in Rajasthan through canals within three years which will leave Pakistan struggling for water. The proposal also aims to connect it to Yamuna. And if this happens, length of the canal will go up to 200 kilometers.
“There is also a proposal to double water capacity of Ranbir canal which draws water from Chenab in Jammu,’’ the sources said. It’s length can be increased from 60 kilometers to 120 kilometers.
Besides, efforts will also be made to use Partap canal to its full capacity depending upon the feasibility report.
As short term measures, desilting and flushing of reservoirs of Baglihar and Salal projects in the Jammu region which have been constructed over river Chenab will also be done to regulate flow of as much flow of water as possible.
Besides, work on Pakal Dul, Kiru, Ratle and Kwar projects over river Chenab in Kishtwar would also be expedited, the sources said.
Following April 22 terror attack at Baisaran in Pahalgam in Kashmir valley in which 26 civilians including 25 tourists and a local were killed, India had suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and taken various other measures against the neighbouring country.
The Indian Defence Forces also launched Operation Sindoor and destroyed terror infrastructure followed by military bases deep inside Pakistan and PoJK.
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