NEW DELHI: In a strategic move following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack, the central government has prioritised the development of key irrigation and hydroelectric projects in the Indus River Basin, focusing on the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.
An inter-ministerial meeting held on Tuesday marked the first major discussion since the treaty was put in abeyance. Officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Power, and Jal Shakti came together under an “all hands on deck” approach to accelerate the utilisation of additional water resources in Jammu & Kashmir and neighbouring states.
The Centre aims to streamline and fast-track pending projects, including irrigation canals, navigation works, and under-construction power plants, with priority funding mechanisms identified for both medium and long-term execution.
This shift highlights India’s renewed focus on maximising water use from western rivers, as permitted under the treaty, particularly in light of persistent security and diplomatic tensions in the region.
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