Context :

• India is accelerating work on a plan to stop surplus water of the Ravi River from flowing into Pakistan through the Shahpur Kandi Barrage/Dam project.

Shahpur Kandi Barrage/Dam Project :

• Location: In Pathankot district of Punjab, downstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam and upstream of Madhopur Barrage
• River: Ravi River
• Nature: A multipurpose project (irrigation and hydropower)

Objectives:

• Irrigation: To provide irrigation to 32,173 hectares in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu & Kashmir and 5,000 hectares in border areas of Punjab.
• Water Utilization: To fully utilize Ravi River waters under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960).
• Historical Background: Agreement signed between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir in 1979; granted “National Project” status in 2008.
• Funding: 80% cost borne by Punjab Government and 20% by the Central Government.
• Geopolitics: The project is a concern for Pakistan because it uses Ravi’s waters, strengthening India’s strategic position under the Indus Waters Treaty.
• Regional Development: Will increase agricultural productivity in Jammu & Kashmir (Kathua/Samba) and Punjab, boosting economic growth.
• Environment & Geography: Understanding the origin, course, and role of the Ravi River in the Indus system is important along with the region’s geotechnical conditions.
• Inter-State Cooperation: Resolves river-water issues between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Completion Timeline: Project will be completed by 31 March 2026.
• From April 2026, during summer season, surplus Ravi water will not flow into Pakistan.

Ravi River :

• A major perennial river of the Indus river system; a transboundary river flowing through India and Pakistan.
• Origin: Emerges near Rohtang Pass in the Bara Bhangal region of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh; flows through Jammu & Kashmir and enters Pakistan.
• Vedic Name: Known in ancient times as Parushni or Iravati.
• Tributaries: Siul, Sewa, Nai, Ujh, Budhil, etc.
• Length: Total length 720 km — about 320 km in India and 400 km in Pakistan.
• Dams & Barrages: Ranjit Sagar Dam, Chamera Dam, Madhopur Headworks, Sidhnai Barrage, Shahpur Kandi Barrage.
• Confluence: Joins the Chenab River near Jhang district in Pakistan.
• Battle of Ten Kings: A famous Rigvedic battle fought on its banks.
• Kartarpur Sahib: A sacred Sikh site located on its bank in Pakistan.
• Under the treaty, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej (Eastern Rivers) are allocated for India’s exclusive use.
• The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is one of South Asia’s two major transboundary water treaties (the other is the 1996 Ganga Treaty).
• Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960.
• Mediated by the World Bank.

Indus Waters Treaty (1960):