India Plans Major Canal Expansion Amid Indus Waters Treaty Suspension:

Suspense crime, Digital Desk : After Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was suspended with Pakistan, India is now moving ahead with a major modernization and expansion program of canals for Jammu and Kashmir region. This comes after the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 whereby India decided to suspend the treaty until Pakistan stops their support of terrorism.

Under the treaty, India holds rights over Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas river; Pakistan has rights of using Indus, Jhelum and Chenab grond freely. India does hold some limited rights to the western rivers in terms of irrigation and hydropower generation.

Key Canal Projects to Begin Desilting and Expansion

As per a report published by Hindustan Times, the central government is also in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir government for initiating the phased desilting and expansion of important canals including:

- Ranbir Canal
- New Partap Canal
- Ranjan Canal
- Tawi Lift Canal
- Paragwal Canal
- Kathua Canal
- Ravi Canals

The primary aim is to improve the command area through the volume of water apportioned to be controlled and irrigated. These canals were however undermaintained for decades, mentioned one governmental official for trying to rationalize reducing dependence on the unpredictable monsoon seasons.

Ranbir Canal Extension to 120 km Proposed

The twofold increase idea for the Ranbir canal's current length of 60 kilometers has provoked thought. It is one of the most important water management canals in Jammu since it provides irrigation. It was designed over hundred years ago, and now struggles to meet the growing agricultural demand.

Within the IWT framework, the canal water withdrawal limit for irrigation is pegged at 1,000 cusecs. The proposed features will seek to increase the command area of the canal while improving agriculture within the region.

Partap Canal: A High-Priority Upgrade

The New Partap canal serves Akhnoor and is 34 kilometers long, but its command area of approximately 9,030 hectares is too small. The Old Partap canal used to branch off from the Chenab a little further upstream, but now it has fizzled out into the newer canal. This new structure is also marked with “high priority” for rehabilitation works.

Hydropower and Water Independence in Focus

India aims to expand hydropower on the western rivers over the current 3,000 megawatts installed capacity limit. Reportedly, a feasibility study is in progress to assess the regional available water resources.

Abhay Singh, a Federal horticulture officer, stated that the agricultural potential of Jammu has been impeded for a long time due to limited water bodies and short monsoon rainfall. “The region's geography makes it highly dependant on canal irrigation,” he said.

Call For Tulbul Barrage Completion

Abdullah Shifted, Former Chief Minister of Jammu, has also renewed calls to complete the construction of the Tulbul barrage at Wullar Lake. The project which has been stalled for a long time due to treaty limitations may now witness development due to the suspension of IWT.