Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said he is hopeful that the Central government will give a go-ahead for the completion of two important projects meant to alleviate the water concerns of Jammu & Kashmir.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror strike on April 22 that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists in the Baisaran meadow, the Centre announced several steps against Pakistan for backing terrorist groups and carrying out a proxy war against India. It included keeping the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance.
As per the treaty agreement, India has restricted access to the water of the eastern rivers, including Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, amounting to around 33 million acre-feet (MAF) annually. Omar on Sunday said his government is focused on the initiation of medium-term projects that can begin immediately.
Abdullah has long been opposing the Indus Water Treaty since he was Minister of State for External Affairs, saying that the 1960 agreement was the “most unfair document” ever imposed on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, he also acknowledged the limitations, saying, “We can’t suddenly build power projects and start storing water. Projects of such nature would take time before the benefits of the Indus water treaty start flowing to us.”
The Tulbul Project was conceived in 1986 so as to enable year-round flow of water in the Wular Lake for commercial and tourism purposes, which in turn would generate employment in Kashmir.
The second project is a vital water-lifting scheme from Akhnoor to provide a sustainable source of water for Jammu city, which is facing “increasing water shortages.”
The UT government has sought approval to engage an international funding agency for the Chenab water supply scheme, aimed at lifting drinking water from the river and supplying it in different areas of the Jammu district to meet the rising water requirements of the division.
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