J&K suffered over Rs 60K cr in losses due to IWT: Expert
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has suffered economic losses of over Rs 60,000 crore due to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) since the bilateral pact came into force in 1960, according to an expert.
'Jammu and Kashmir has been the sufferer, worst hit by the IWT,' said former Professor of Economics at Kashmir University, Dr Nisar Ali, demanding a scientific assessment to know the true extent of the loss.
The estimated losses are around Rs 60,000 crore, while official reports peg them at Rs 20,000 crore between 1960 and 1998, Dr Ali said. Under the IWT, Pakistan received an allocation of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab), while India received the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej). According to Dr Ali, J&K's losses began to mount as it was not allowed to construct dams beyond a certain height and 'we cannot irrigate more than 13 lakh hectares of land'.
As a result, the state failed to make optimum use of the Chenab and Indus waters, he said, adding: 'We cannot make big dams for power projects. We must utilise the run-of-the-river resources. If we had big dams, we could have stored more water and generated more electricity.' Such underutilisation led to the loss of electricity as a resource and limited agricultural activities, which, in turn, impacted development. Else, 'we could have big industries here'. Experts contend that of J&K's hydro potential of 20,000 MW, only 3,400 MWs have been harnessed.
The result is that from being a self-sufficient economy in 1954, J&K is now dependent on central funds, and the IWT is partly responsible for this, according to the Professor.
Sources said that past state governments had twice attempted to quantify the losses J&K suffered due to IWT by hiring external consultants. However, the first attempt in 2013 did not see the light of day because the consultant backed out because of official cold-shouldering. The second one in 2018 was shelved for unknown reasons, he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Punjab govt ignored FIR, blocked action': ED ex-official says convicts named Bikram Singh Majithia
Mohali: Former ED deputy director Niranjan Singh on Saturday said that though SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia 's name had not emerged directly in the Rs 6,000-crore drug and money laundering racket which he probed, several convicted accused had mentioned him. Talking to media after recording his statement with the Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) in connection with the latest disproportionate assets (DA) case against Majithia, Singh said drug kingpin Jagdish Singh Bhola had also named the former Punjab minister belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal. "Multiple accused took his name. I was pressurised at the time not to proceed further in that direction. The then Punjab govt ignored the FIR and blocked further action," Singh said. Niranjan Singh had led the investigation into the Rs 6,000-crore case, He added that despite the pressure, he continued with the case and secured convictions for 17 accused. "When I resigned in protest, the high court stayed my resignation and ordered me to carry on with the investigation," he added. Clarifying his appearance before the bureau, Singh said the present case pertained to disproportionate assets, but he shared the same foundational links to the earlier drug investigation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "I informed vigilance that all related documents and recorded statements are available in the ED's record room. They can access those records, and if needed, I am willing to assist again," he said. He reiterated his personal commitment to the fight against drug trafficking . "I stand with Punjab in its battle against drugs. I've always stood on the side of truth," he said. Majithia, who has consistently denied the charges, was recently arrested by VB from his Amritsar residence in a fresh FIR. He has been remanded in police custody for seven days. BOX The 6,000cr case On July 30 last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) special court found former deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Jagdish Singh Bhola and 17 others guilty in a massive drug trafficking case worth approximately Rs 6,000 crore The case, which surfaced in March 2013, came to light following the arrest of Canadian NRI Anoop Singh Kahlon in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab Bhola, a dismissed DSP and Arjuna Award winner for his feats in wrestling, was subsequently arrested, sparking controversy with his allegations against prominent figures The case unveiled a major international drug trafficking racket, with Bhola's claims implicating high-profile individuals, including politician Bikram Singh Majithia.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Manimajra's 24x7 water supply project hits turbulence; MC internal report, Chandigarh BJP chief flag major flaws
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: What was once hailed as a flagship initiative under the 'Viksit Bharat' vision is now under intense scrutiny. The ambitious 24x7 water supply pilot project in Manimajra, inaugurated with much fanfare by Union home minister Amit Shah in Aug 2024, has hit turbulent waters. Amid growing concerns and political pressure, Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria is set to convene a high-level meeting to dissect the project's faltering progress. The move comes in the wake of a strongly worded letter from Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra to the Union home minister, expressing alarm over the project's execution. Sources confirm that the ministry of home affairs has since forwarded the letter to the UT Administrator, prompting urgent administrative attention. The project, spearheaded by Chandigarh Smart City Limited and executed through a Rajasthan-based agency, was envisioned to revolutionize water supply in Manimajra — transitioning from intermittent to round-the-clock pressurized water delivery, complete with smart metering and automated control systems. But the reality on the ground paints a starkly different picture. A confidential internal report by the Engineering Department of the Municipal Corporation has laid bare a series of alarming discrepancies: No zone in Manimajra has achieved 24x7 pressurized water supply; pressure reducing valves (PRVs) and variable frequency drive (VFD) pumping systems remain non-operational; major lapses in the construction of underground reservoirs, pumping stations, and the rollout of the SCADA automation system; and much-touted smart water meters are yet to be fully deployed. The project was awarded through an e-tender at a staggering Rs 165.86 crore, split into capital expenditure (capex) — Rs 74.56 crore — and operational expenditure (OPEX) — Rs 91.29 crore. Despite the scale of investment, the outcomes have been underwhelming — a fact that has not gone unnoticed by local leadership. Malhotra has reportedly warned that the project's failure is damaging the BJP's image and undermining the Prime Minister's development agenda. What's Next? With the spotlight now firmly on the project, the upcoming meeting chaired by Kataria is expected to be a turning point. Malhotra's letter to Shah In a letter to Amit Shah, Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra said, "In August 2024, a project was inaugurated by you, in the presence of administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, chief secretary Rajeev Verma, and other dignitaries, for 24-hour water supply with proper pressure for all floors. The funds amounting to Rs 75 crore were allocated for the project under the smart city mission. The reality of this project clearly reflects that the whole project has collapsed, and nobody is held accountable and responsible for this wastage of Rs 75 crore. Sir, on one side, taxes are being imposed on the public, and on the other, Rs 75 crore have been wasted. Certainly, there are policy lapses or a lack of accountability in the system of administration of UT Chandigarh. The media reports are causing grave damage to our reputation in public at large and are also not in tune with our visionary Prime Minister's dream of VIKSIT BHARAT: 2047. Your good self is thus humbly requested to intervene in the matter and call for a detailed inquiry report on the same."
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Konkan Rail Corporation Ltd set to float tender for Vizhinjam tunnel rail connectivity in July
Thiruvananthapuram: The long-awaited tunnel rail connection project between Balaramapuram railway station and Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to move ahead this July. The Konkan Rail Corporation Ltd (KRCL) is preparing to float a tender for detailed design and construction. According to sources within KRCL, tender issuance is expected once the draft document receives final clearance from Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), the state-owned port authority overseeing the project. The project will be executed under an engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) model. Once the tender opens, it is expected to follow a three-month window to select the contractor. The winning bidder will then have another three months to complete the final design. Construction is scheduled to begin in Jan 2026, said an official familiar with the plan. Ahead of this, land acquisition efforts are progressing. At Balaramapuram end, VISL is set to take possession of acquired land by the end of July. Meanwhile, on Vizhinjam side land acquisition is pending, as the authorities need to conduct a crucial meeting involving local fishermen and church representatives, who have expressed concerns about the tunnel's construction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Pelajari Undo An official close to the project said, "We will initiate talks with fishermen's representatives soon to address their concerns and ensure all community apprehensions are resolved before possession of land." At present, 19 families reside in the affected area at Vizhinjam. The compensation of Rs 190 crore delivered by VISL is being dispersed by the district administration to landowners. Further disbursements are underway following the formal takeover of the site. In Balaramapuram, the existing station will be relocated approximately 600m south to make way for a container yard and approach tracks linking to the tunnel. Meanwhile, the VISL is planning to set up a container rail terminal (CRT) near Neyyattinkara railway station. However, nothing has been finalised yet, and discussions are ongoing between the govt and Southern Railways. The railway tunnel is a key component of state govt's efforts to boost connectivity to the Vizhinjam deep-water port. Spanning 10.7km, of which 9.4km will run underground, the tunnel will enable direct freight rail access between the port and the railway network. This alignment has been chosen to minimise land acquisition, environmental disruption, and community displacement. The tunnel will be constructed using the new Austrian tunnelling method (NATM), with a depth ranging from 25 to 30m below ground level. Freight trains are expected to complete the passage through the tunnel in about 36 minutes, at speeds ranging from 15 to 30 km/h. The state cabinet granted administrative approval for the project in March 2025, with the revised estimated cost pegged at Rs 1,482.92 crore. Environmental clearance for the project was granted in July 2024. Once completed, the tunnel will be one of the longest railway tunnels in India and is expected to significantly improve cargo handling efficiency at Vizhinjam port. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
