- After 45 years, India has finished the Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project, which halts the flow of water from the Ravi River into Pakistan.
- Under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, India has exclusive rights to the waters of the Ravi River, allowing it to use the resource for local agricultural reasons.
About the Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project
- The Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project, located on the Ravi River, is an important project to utilise water resources for agriculture and hydropower generation in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
- The project includes a 5 m-high concrete gravity dam, a 7.7 km-long hydroelectric channel, two head regulators, and two powerhouses.
- It is expected to generate up to 206MW of energy and supply irrigation for Punjab (5,000 ha) and Jammu & Kashmir (32,173 ha).
Historical context:
- In 1995, former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao launched the project, which was delayed owing to regional government disagreements.
- Commitment by Prime Minister Modi: In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to maximise water supplies from the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers for Indian farmers, sparking renewed attempts to complete the project.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/flow-of-ravi-water-to-pakistan-fully-stopped-report/articleshow/107970921.cms#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI%3A%20The%20flow%20of,Punjab%20and%20Jammu%20and%20Kashmir.