Modi government's big decision regarding Indus Water Treaty, Union Minister reveals

The Government of India is working on a strategic and long-term plan to maximise its water resources under the Indus Water Treaty. Under this scheme, special attention is paid to increasing the water storage capacity in hydro projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Announcing this on Tuesday, Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that this step is an important initiative towards strengthening the energy security of the country and improving water management.

Manohar Lal Khattar said that special design and technical plans will be prepared to increase the water storage capacity in the hydro projects in Jammu and Kashmir which are currently in the initial stage. This will ensure that the water resources available to India under the Indus Water Treaty are optimally and effectively utilised. Khattar also clarified that no changes will be made to the projects whose technical details have already been finalised and those currently in the pipeline. This is because the design and technical processes of these projects have already been finalised, and making changes to them could be a waste of time and resources.

The Indus Water Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, shares the waters of six rivers of the Indus river system. Under this treaty, India was granted full rights over the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, and the majority of the water of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers was awarded to Pakistan. India was permitted usage of the three rivers' waters for limited purposes, e.g., hydropower generation and irrigation.