Desk: Pakistan’s troubles are set to deepen amid rising tensions with India. Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, India has now taken another major step that could trigger drought conditions in Pakistan. India has decided to begin the renovation and expansion of old canals in Jammu and Kashmir. The key canals involved are Kathua, New Pratap, and Ranbir canals, which will be revitalized for the first time in over a century.
This move comes in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India not only launched “Operation Sindoor” targeting terrorist hideouts but also suspended the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty.
Under the supervision of the Jammu and Kashmir government and a central technical team, work will begin in phases to remove silt from Ranbir, New Pratap, Ranjan, Tawi Lift, Pargwal, Kathua, and Ravi canals. Subsequently, these canals will be expanded to increase their water carrying capacity and extend the irrigated areas.
A senior official stated, “The capacities of these canals were fixed according to standards from the last century, whereas agricultural demand has increased manifold since then.”
The revival of these canals is expected to provide some relief to Indian agriculture from the uncertainties of the monsoon. Around 60% of India’s total cultivated area depends on monsoon rains, and rainfall in the Jammu region arrives late and ends early, often disrupting farming throughout the year.
India will also accelerate work on hydroelectric projects such as Kishanganga, Ratle, Miyar Nala, Lower Kalnai, and Pakal Dul. The Tulbul project on Wular Lake is also now a priority. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had previously emphasized this project.
The Ranbir canal, built in 1905, is approximately 60 km long and has been a major irrigation source in the Jammu region. The old Pratap canal, constructed in 1906, irrigated about 8,000 hectares of land. The New Pratap canal starts near Devipur village and currently irrigates only 9,030 hectares, although its capacity is estimated to be about 16,500 hectares.
Under the treaty, a maximum of 1,000 cusecs of water from the Ranbir canal could be used for irrigation, and 250 cusecs for hydroelectric power generation. However, India now plans to fully utilize these canals’ capacities, free from the treaty’s restrictions.
Pakistan has strongly objected to India’s new strategy and warned that any blockage of water flow would be considered an act of war. However, India has clarified, “The Indus Waters Treaty has become irrelevant in the current context. Over the decades, climate change, advances in dam technology, and India’s growing needs have moved beyond the treaty’s framework.”