India's sharp water chokehold on Pakistan as it restricts water flow through Jammu's Baglihar dam
PTC News Desk: India continues to tighten its noose on water flow to Pakistan as it has now temporarily stopped water flow through the Baglihar dam on the Chenab river. The reports suggest that the government is mulling similar steps to control water flow from Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum as well.
This move is temporary as the Baglihar dam has been built in line with the Indus Waters Treaty and can hold a limited volume of water after which it must release it. However the move also indicates awarning sign to Islamabad in response to deadly Pahalgam Terror Attack last month.
In a post on X BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi after this action.
"It takes political will to make tough decisions in India's interest, and Prime Minister Modi has demonstrated that through his actions. This is the muscular Modi Doctrine, firm and unwavering in its fight against terrorism. Water and the blood of our citizens cannot flow together. Let that be clear," he shared on X.
The river Chenab's water level rose on May 2 following heavy rainfall in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Baglihar project is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility located in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. Such projects involve minimal or no water storage. Baglihar currently produces 900 megawatts of electricity, with its first phase completed in 2008 and the second in 2015. Another similar project, the Kishanganga, also run-of-the-river, is situated in Bandipore and has a capacity of 330 megawatts.
Pakistan raised objections to both projects, claiming that their design and specifications violated the Indus Waters Treaty. It argued that the Baglihar dam’s features could offer India a tactical edge during conflict.
After numerous failed negotiations, Pakistan brought the Baglihar issue to the World Bank, a party to the treaty. A World Bank-appointed expert accepted some of Pakistan’s concerns but dismissed objections related to the dam’s height and the gated spillway control.
- With inputs from agencies
