Latest news with #TulbulNavigationProject
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India readies another water shock for Pakistan
In the wake of the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India intensified its strategic response, not only diplomatically and militarily but also hydrologically -- by suspending the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) which governs sharing of water flowing to Pakistan from the Indus river system. Pakistan, which depends largely on water flowing from India for its agricultural production, has warned that India blocking the water flowing to Pakistan will be considered an act of war. However, undeterred by Pakistan's threats, India is preparing another water shock for Pakistan. The Indian government is set to revive the long-stalled Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu & Kashmir, PTI has reported based on information from sources. A detailed project report (DPR) for the Tulbul project is being prepared and is expected to take about a year to complete. This move, which comes amid the suspension of the IWT, underscores a significant policy shift: leveraging water resources as a means of strategic assertion. Also Read | Pakistan will be starved of water and India will never restore Indus water treaty, says Amit Shah Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo What is the Tulbul Navigation Project? The Tulbul Navigation Project (TNP) is a controlled storage facility on the Jhelum River near Sopore in the Kashmir Valley. Originally conceived in 1984, the project aimed to construct a 439-foot long and 40-foot wide navigation lock-cum-control structure at the mouth of the Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. The purpose of the project was to ensure navigability of the Jhelum River during lean seasons by regulating outflows from the Wular Lake. By storing around 300,000 acre-feet of water, the project was designed to maintain a minimum draught of 4.5 feet, enabling barge traffic between Baramulla and Srinagar. This would not only facilitate inland water transport, but also improve irrigation and generate potential for hydropower optimization downstream. Live Events The Central government had started work on this project in 1984, but stopped it a year later following Pakistan's strong objections. Pakistan in 1986 took the issue to the Indus Waters Commission , following which the project was abandoned in 1987. The work was restarted in 2010, with the then irrigation minister of J&K, Taj Mohideen, stating that Article 9 of IWT permitted such projects meant for non-consumptive use. In 2012, unidentified terrorists lobbed a grenade towards a bund raised by the workers for the project. In 2016, Taj claimed that the Omar-led NC-Congress (2008-2014) govt had completed almost 80 per cent of the project after redesigning it with a total estimated cost of Rs 50 crore, in contrast to the original project designed in 1980s at Rs 500 crore. He accused the PDP-BJP (2015-2018) govt of abandoning the project. Taj argued that water storage in the Wullar barrage would significantly benefit the downstream power projects by sustaining electricity generation during the winter months, when they see a sharp decline in output. Also Read | India slams Pakistan's 'charade' on Kishenganga, Ratle dams; trashes 'illegal' Court of Arbitration's new ruling How Tulbul project can benefit India, and why Pakistan opposes it Under the IWT, India was allocated the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej), while the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) were allocated to Pakistan, with limited rights for India. India is allowed to use water from the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes like navigation, power generation and limited storage. The Tulbul Project aligns with these permissible uses. By regulating flows, India can maximize its share of water under the treaty, avoiding wastage of its rights while improving water availability during lean periods. In the context of cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's continued hostility, the project serves as a pressure point. Water, historically viewed as a cooperative resource, is now being reconsidered as a tool of strategic diplomacy. The resumption of Tulbul sends a strong signal that India will no longer remain passive while its treaty rights are undermined or while Pakistan continues to support non-state actors across the border. The Jhelum river route was historically a vital trade artery. Reviving this navigation route will boost local commerce, create jobs and improve connectivity in the Kashmir Valley. Given the government's broader push for inland waterways, this project fits into a national strategy of reducing dependence on road transport and improving logistics efficiency. Though Tulbul itself is not a hydropower project, its ability to regulate water flow can support downstream hydropower generation at projects like Uri-I and Uri-II. It can help stabilize water flow, enhance efficiency and reduce flood damage risks in the valley. Pakistan has consistently objected to the Tulbul Navigation Project since its inception, and construction was halted in 1987 due to Islamabad's protests. The core of Pakistan's opposition lies in the perceived violation of the IWT provisions. Pakistan argues that the storage capacity of 300,000 acre-feet gives India the ability to manipulate water flows during critical periods, especially during the sowing season in Pakistan's Punjab province. While India views the project as permissible under the IWT (which allows non-consumptive use including navigation), Pakistan sees it as an attempt to store water in violation of the treaty's constraints on India's use of the western rivers. India's revival of the Tulbul Project can be seen in light of a broader reassessment of the IWT, which has long been criticized within India for being overly generous. In suspending the treaty after the Pahalgam attack, India is signaling a willingness to challenge long-standing conventions that no longer serve its security or developmental interests. This policy shift is also likely influenced by China's assertive use of water in the Brahmaputra basin. India now seems to be shedding its past restraint and adopting a more realist doctrine on transboundary rivers. However, this move also raises the stakes in the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. Pakistan has already warned that any attempt to block or manipulate water flows would be considered an 'act of war". The Kashmir politics over Tulbul The Tulbul project has been a contentious issue in J&K. After suspension of the IWT, local politics is simmering over the Tulbul project. In May, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former CM Mehbooba Mufti engaged in a war of words over reinstating the Tulbul Navigation Project. The argument started after Abdullah suggested a possible resumption of construction at the Tulbul Navigation Barrage on Wullar Lake, considering the suspension of the IWT. "The Wular lake in North Kashmir. The civil works you see in the video is the Tulbul Navigation Barrage. It was started in the early 1980s but had to be abandoned under pressure from Pakistan citing the Indus Water Treaty. Now that the IWT has been 'temporarily suspended' I wonder if we will be able to resume the project," Abdullah posted on his personal X handle. Taking to X, Mufti replied to Abdullah's post: "At a time when both nations have just stepped back from the brink of war—with Jammu and Kashmir once again paying the highest price through loss of innocent lives, destruction, and suffering—such provocative statements are deeply irresponsible." She stressed that J&K residents need tranquillity and constancy, rather than political actions that could heighten tensions. "Weaponizing water—a source of life—is not only inhumane, but it also threatens to internationalize an issue that must remain strictly bilateral," she noted. Replying to Mufti's remarks, Abdullah wrote, "Actually what is unfortunate is that with your blind lust to try to score cheap publicity points & please some people sitting across the border, you refuse to acknowledge that the IWT has been one of the biggest historic betrayals of the interests of the people of J&K. I have always opposed this treaty & I will continue to do so. Opposing a blatantly unfair treaty is in no way, shape, size or form warmongering, it's about correcting a historic injustice that denied the people of J&K the right to use our water for ourselves." (With agency and TOI inputs)
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre eyes revival of Tulbul project: How India plans to maximize Indus water? Here's why it matters
NEW DELHI: The central government is looking to restart the long-delayed Tulbul Navigation Project as part of a larger strategy to maximise India's utilisation of water from the western rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty, news agency PTI reported citing senior official sources. A comprehensive project report for the Tulbul initiative is currently in the works and is likely to take around a year to finalize. "Only after that will we take a decision," PTI reported quoting a senior official, noting that talks are already well advanced to revive the project. The move comes amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated resolves to use Indus waters for India. The government is working out a plan to utilise Indus river water for domestic purposes in four states—Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. Why the project is being revived? India continues to grapple with limited water-storage capacity, particularly during the monsoon season—a challenge that affects its ability to fully utilise its share of water from the western rivers allocated under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). "In the rainy season, we have less capacity. During the dry season, we can hold a certain amount of water, particularly on the Chenab river," the official said. "If we get more water, it flows downstream to Pakistan," PTI reported quoting an official. "We filled our dams and then flushed them to manage sediment. But under the treaty, there were some restrictions on flooding, which caused problems in sediment management. What we are doing now is essentially better dam and reservoir management," he added. Meanwhile, PM Modi had also criticised the Treaty saying that it imposed restrictions preventing India from cleaning or desilting the dams on rivers in J&K. "I would like to tell the younger generation how this country was ruined. A closer look at IWT will leave you shocked. It was decided that the dams built on the rivers of J&K would not be cleaned. Desilting would not be done. The lower gates for clearing sediments were to remain shut. For 60 years, these gates were never opened. As a result, the reservoirs could effectively use only 2-3% of their storage capacity," he had said. Why it matters? The reports of Tulbul project revival comes after Union home minister Amit Shah outrightly dismissed any chances of restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty. "It will never be restored. International treaties can't be annulled unilaterally but we had the right to put it in abeyance, which we have done. The treaty preamble mentions that it was for peace and progress of the two countries but once that has been violated, there is nothing left to protect," Shah had told TOI. Under IWT, India had restricted rights over the western rivers—Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum—which largely flow into Pakistan. The Treaty with Pakistan was put "under abeyance" after the Pahalgam terror attack. However, officials indicated that multiple proposals were currently being explored to enhance India's utilisation of its entitled share from these rivers. "There is potential to divert water from one of the western rivers, technically feasible, to Punjab and Haryana," PTI reported quoting an official, who added, that Indus river itself was being considered for diversion. Moreover, the Kishanganga hydropower project, earlier challenged by Pakistan, has been successfully completed, while the construction of the Ratle project is now being fast-tracked.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India revives Tulbul project in big push to reclaim water rights under Indus Waters Treaty: Sources
The government is moving ahead with plans to revive the long-stalled Tulbul Navigation Project , as part of a broader strategy to optimise the country's share of water from the western rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), top official sources said. A detailed project report (DPR) for the Tulbul project is being prepared and is expected to take about a year to complete. "Only after that will we take a decision," a senior official said, confirming that discussions are at an advanced stage to bring the project back on track. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo This comes in the backdrop of the IWT being put "under abeyance" following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack , after which India began reassessing its water-sharing arrangements with Pakistan. Under the IWT, India has limited rights over the western rivers -- the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum -- which primarily flow into Pakistan. Live Events However, officials said several proposals are now under consideration to increase India's use of its share from these rivers. "There is potential to divert water from one of the western rivers, technically feasible, to Punjab and Haryana," said an official, though they stressed that the Indus itself is not being considered for diversion. India faces challenges due to limited water-storage capacity, especially during monsoon. "In the rainy season, we have less capacity. During the dry season, we can hold a certain amount of water, particularly on the Chenab river," the official said. "If we get more water, it flows downstream to Pakistan," he added. The official said this inability to store water beyond a short duration of 24 to 48 hours is why India was previously forced to carry out "flushing operations" at its dams. "We filled our dams and then flushed them to manage sediment. But under the treaty, there were some restrictions on flooding, which caused problems in sediment management. What we are doing now is essentially better dam and reservoir management," he said. Meanwhile, the Kishanganga hydropower project , once contested by Pakistan, has already been completed. The construction of the Ratle project has also been expedited.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India eyes revival of Tulbul project, steps up efforts to maximise western river water use: Sources
New Delhi, The government is moving ahead with plans to revive the long-stalled Tulbul Navigation Project, as part of a broader strategy to optimise the country's share of water from the western rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty , top official sources said. India eyes revival of Tulbul project, steps up efforts to maximise western river water use: Sources A detailed project report for the Tulbul project is being prepared and is expected to take about a year to complete. "Only after that will we take a decision," a senior official said, confirming that discussions are at an advanced stage to bring the project back on track. This comes in the backdrop of the IWT being put "under abeyance" following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, after which India began reassessing its water-sharing arrangements with Pakistan. Under the IWT, India has limited rights over the western rivers the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum which primarily flow into Pakistan. However, officials said several proposals are now under consideration to increase India's use of its share from these rivers. "There is potential to divert water from one of the western rivers, technically feasible, to Punjab and Haryana," said an official, though they stressed that the Indus itself is not being considered for diversion. India faces challenges due to limited water-storage capacity, especially during monsoon. "In the rainy season, we have less capacity. During the dry season, we can hold a certain amount of water, particularly on the Chenab river," the official said. "If we get more water, it flows downstream to Pakistan," he added. The official said this inability to store water beyond a short duration of 24 to 48 hours is why India was previously forced to carry out "flushing operations" at its dams. "We filled our dams and then flushed them to manage sediment. But under the treaty, there were some restrictions on flooding, which caused problems in sediment management. What we are doing now is essentially better dam and reservoir management," he said. Meanwhile, the Kishanganga hydropower project, once contested by Pakistan, has already been completed. The construction of the Ratle project has also been expedited. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Print
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
‘Pakistan in violation of IWT', spreading disinformation—India at UNSC
Harish highlighted Pakistan's violation of the treaty's spirit through its support for cross-border terrorism and its obstructionist approach to modifying the treaty. Delivering the statement at the Arria Formula Meeting on 'Protecting Water in Armed Conflict – Protecting Civilian Lives', Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Parvathaneni Harish strongly refuted Pakistan's claims regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. New York: India, in a firm and unequivocal statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accused Pakistan of spreading disinformation over the Indus Waters Treaty and reiterated its commitment to responsible water management even amid persistent cross-border terrorism. Harish affirmed that India has always acted responsibly as an upper riparian state and accused Pakistan of distorting facts. 'India entered into the Indus Waters Treaty 65 years ago in good faith,' he said, recalling that the agreement was signed in a spirit of goodwill and friendship. He pointed out that Pakistan has violated the treaty's spirit by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India, resulting in over 20,000 Indian lives lost in the last four decades. 'Pakistan has violated the spirit of the treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India. In the last four decades, more than 20,000 Indian lives have been lost in terror attacks, the most recent of which was a dastardly targeted terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam last month. India has shown extraordinary patience and magnanimity throughout this period. Pakistan's state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in India seeks to hold hostage the lives of civilians, religious harmony, and economic prosperity,' he added. He added that Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism threatens civilian lives, religious harmony, and economic prosperity. He emphasized that significant changes have taken place in the past 65 years, including escalating security concerns, growing requirements for clean energy, climate change, and demographic shifts. 'In these 65 years, far-reaching fundamental changes have taken place not only in terms of escalating security concerns through cross-border terror attacks, but also growing requirements for producing clean energy, climate change, and demographic change. Technology for dam infrastructure has transformed to ensure safety and efficiency of operations and water use. Some of the old dams are facing serious safety concerns,' he added. 'Some old dams face serious safety concerns,' he said, pointing out that terrorists even attacked the Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012. 'In fact, in 2012, terrorists even attacked the Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu and Kashmir. These cynical acts continue to endanger safety of our projects and lives of civilians,' added Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations. Harish stated that India has formally asked Pakistan to discuss modifications to the treaty, but Pakistan has continued to block consistently any changes to this infrastructure and any modifications of the provisions which is permissible under the treaty. 'Against this backdrop, India has finally announced that the treaty will be in abeyance until Pakistan- a global epicentre of terror credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism,' he stated. India has formally asked Pakistan to discuss the modifications of the treaty on several occasions in the past two years. However, Pakistan continues to reject these and Pakistan's obstructionist approach continues to prevent the exercise of full utilisation of the legitimate rights by India. 'It is clear that it is Pakistan which remains in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty,' Harish concluded. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in April 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack, which it blamed on Pakistan-based terrorists. This report is auto generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
