India tightens noose on Pakistan, moves to stop Ravi waters as Shahpur Kandi dam nears finish
For years, excess water from the Ravi continued to flow into Pakistan due to limited storage infrastructure on the Indian side.
PTC News Desk: With a harsh summer approaching, Pakistan’s water crisis is expected to intensify. The situation has already been aggravated by the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and now India is preparing to halt the surplus flow of water from the Ravi River into Pakistan once the Shahpur Kandi barrage is completed by March 31.
For years, excess water from the Ravi continued to flow into Pakistan due to limited storage infrastructure on the Indian side. That is set to change from April, potentially tightening water availability downstream.
The announcement was made by J&K minister Javed Ahmed Rana on Monday. He said the project is intended to provide irrigation benefits to the drought-prone districts of Kathua and Samba. “The excess water going to Pakistan will be stopped. It must be stopped,” Rana told reporters.
Responding to questions about the impact on Pakistan, he remarked, “Why are you concerned about Pakistan? They are a marginal presence. Let them deal with the consequences of their own actions.”
At present, surplus waters of the Ravi flow unused through Madhopur into Pakistan, which is the lower riparian country. Rana noted that the Shahpur Kandi barrage — delayed for years due to political disputes and disagreements between Punjab and J&K — would prevent what he described as wastage.
The development follows a recent statement by Union Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil, who said that waters of the Indus River currently flowing into Pakistan would be retained and utilised in India’s interest.