India Starts Flushing Chenab Hydroelectric Projects, Pakistan Faces Growing Troubles

National News: The difficulties for Pakistan are going to increase further, as the Government of India has taken a historic decision to regular flushing on important hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River - Salal (690 MW) and Bagalihar (900 MW). Under this process of flushing, the silt, soil and sand deposited in the dam are taken out of the flow of strong water, increasing the water storage capacity of the dam and improves the efficiency of the turbine. As a result, power generation also increases.

Flushing will be a monthly process

The central government has also clarified that Pakistan will not be informed before flushing on any dam. This is considered to be a major political and diplomatic step, as Pakistan has often been hurried in India's water projects under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). The Central Water Commission (CWC) has also recommended monthly flushing on run-of-the-winter projects like Salal and Bagihar, to improve both the capacity and power generation of the reservoir.

India's new trend on water use

Apart from this, the Government of India has also decided that now the hydrological data of Sindh, Chenab and Jhelum rivers will not be shared with Pakistan. It is considered a tough step against Pakistan, which prevents many hydroelectric projects using the conditions of the Indus Water Treaty. Proposals to widen, darker and lengthen the Ranbir Canal originating from the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir are also being considered, which will be helpful in economic development along with increasing the irrigation capacity of the region.

First major success of flushing

The flushing of Salal and Bagalihar dams was successfully performed on 4 May, with about 7.5 million cubic meters silt and sand out. The Salal project was completed in 1987, but had never had such flushing before. This was also done for the first time in the Bagihar project, which started in 2009. This increased the water level in the areas below the Reasi district abnormally and then suddenly reduced, which was the effect of flushing.

Rapid work on hanging projects

Many hydroelectric projects have been pending for years due to the objections of Pakistan due to the Indus Water Treaty. These include the Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), Quar (540 MW), Dul Hasti (390 MW), and Ratle (850 MW) on the Chenab River. Atal Dullu, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, visited Kishtwar district and reviewed the progress of various projects. He instructed the concerned officials to complete the work soon.