Flow of Ravi water to Pakistan fully stopped
The flow of water from the Ravi River to Pakistan has come to a complete halt following the successful completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage. Situated on the border of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, the Shahpur Kandi barrage has significant implications for water distribution in the region.
The Shahpur Kandi barrage project, crucial for both irrigation and hydropower generation, has encountered numerous challenges over the past three decades. Despite these hurdles, the project has reached completion, marking a milestone in optimizing the utilization of the Ravi River's water resources.
As per the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, India has exclusive rights over the waters of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, while Pakistan maintains control over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers. The operational Shahpur Kandi barrage empowers India to maximize the utilization of the Ravi River, redirecting the water that previously flowed towards Pakistan from the old Lakhanpur dam. This redirection ensures that the water will now contribute to the agricultural needs of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The foundation stone for the Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project was initially laid by former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in 1995. However, the project encountered prolonged disputes between the governments of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, leading to its suspension for over four and a half years. Despite the challenges, the completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage now opens up new opportunities for sustainable water management and agricultural development in the region.
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