Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project : UPSC Current Affairs

Description

Why In News?

The Union Government fast-tracks the long-stalled 930 MW Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir.

What is Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project?

The Kirthai-II HEP is a 930 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project planned on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir.

The project was first conceived in 1984 and remained stalled for decades due to Pakistan's objections under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) at the Permanent Indus Commission.

It is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd. (CVPPPL), a joint venture between National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) (51%), Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) (39%), and PTC India (10%).

The Ministry of Power approved updated terms of reference in May 2026, allowing detailed investigations and land acquisition to proceed.

Chenab River

The Chenab is one of the three Western Rivers under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) 1960 — the others being Indus and Jhelum.
Origin: Formed by the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Himachal Pradesh; flows through Jammu & Kashmir before entering Pakistan.
Treaty Status: Pakistan receives unrestricted use of Chenab waters; India can use them only for domestic use, non-consumptive use, limited agricultural use, and hydro-electric power generation.
India's existing projects on Chenab: Salal (690 MW), Dulhasti (390 MW), Baglihar (900 MW), and under-construction Pakal Dul (1000 MW).
Geopolitical Sensitivity: Pakistan has repeatedly objected to Indian projects on the Chenab, claiming they violate IWT provisions on pondage limits and design criteria.

Strategic Importance of Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project

Water Security Assertion: The project's revival signals India's strategic intent to maximize permissible water utilization on Western Rivers after suspending IWT participation post-Pahalgam attack (April 2025).

Energy Surplus for J&K: Contributes to the 7,000 MW hydro capacity target for J&K over the next 8-10 years; transforms J&K into an energy-surplus Union Territory.

Reduced Pakistani Leverage: Eliminates Pakistan's veto power over Indian hydro projects on the Chenab that had stalled Kirthai-II since the 1990s.

Regional Development: Creates employment for 2,100 workers during peak construction; supports infrastructure development in remote Kishtwar district.

Run-of-River Compliance: Respects IWT Annexure D criteria — limited pondage, no large storage, and mandatory water releases downstream — making it legally defensible even if treaty negotiations resume.

Source: newindianexpress

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Under the Indus Water Treaty 1960, India has unrestricted rights over which of the following rivers?

(a) Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab

(b) Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej

(d) Chenab, Beas, and Ravi

Answer: (b) Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej

Explanation:

The Indus Water Treaty allocates Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India for unrestricted use, while Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan with limited Indian usage rights for domestic, non-consumptive, agricultural, and hydro-electric purposes.