India Revives Sawalkote Hydropower Project in J&K and Jammu & Kashmir's Largest 1,856 MW Plant Cleared.
National
In July 2025, the Government of India fast-tracked the long-delayed Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Ramban district, Jammu & Kashmir. With tendering initiated by NHPC, the project-planned for 1,856 megawatts (MW)-has been designated of national importance amid India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
- Originally conceived in the 1960s by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and surveyed by the Geological Survey of India between 1962-71, the project remained dormant for decades. It was only in February 2018 that a detailed project report (DPR) was submitted.
- Now, following the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in April 2025, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has floated an international tender worth approximately ₹200 crore for Package-1-Planning, Design & Engineering-on July 29, 2025.
- The run-of-the-river design includes a 192.5-metre roller-compacted concrete gravity dam, three diversion tunnels (measuring 965 m, 1,130 m, and 1,280 m), and an underground powerhouse with eight turbines of 225 MW each (totaling 1,800 MW), plus a 56 MW auxiliary unit to ensure mandatory environmental flow-bringing installed capacity to 1,856 MW. It will handle flood diversions of 2,977 cumec (non-monsoon) and 9,292 cumec (monsoon).
Main Point :- (i) Estimated to cost around 22,704 crore according to the DPR, Sawalkote aims to generate over 7,000 million units of clean electricity annually. Once operational, it is expected to become Jammu & Kashmir's largest hydroelectric project-surpassing the 900 MW Baglihar plant-and significantly enhance energy availability in the Union Territory and northern India.
(ii) With the IWT now suspended, India has asserted sovereign rights over the Chenab River and other western rivers. Sawalkote's revival is both a strategic energy initiative and a diplomatic signal, reinforcing India's control over water resources.
(iii) The project has also been granted the status of a 'Nationally Important Infrastructure Project', streamlining approvals. Beyond energy, it offers flood mitigation, job creation during execution, and economic upliftment of Ramban and Udhampur districts.
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