Shahpur Kandi barrage: In 1982, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid basis for the venture.
Srinagar:
India has stopped the stream of water from the Ravi river into Pakistan by constructing a dam that was ready for completion for 45 years. India has unique rights to the water of Ravi underneath the 1960 Indus water treaty signed underneath the supervision of the World Financial institution.
The Shahpur Kandi barrage — situated in Punjab’s Pathankot district — was held up by a home dispute between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. However that led to substantial chunk of water that belongs to India, going to Pakistan all these years.
Below the Indus water treaty, India has full rights over the water of Ravi, Sutlej and Beas, whereas Pakistan has rights over the water of Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
In 1979, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir governments signed an settlement to construct Ranjit Sagar Dam and downstream Shahpur Kandi barrage to cease water to Pakistan.
The settlement was signed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, then chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and his Punjab counterpart Parkash Singh Badal.
In 1982, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi laid basis for the venture, which was anticipated to be accomplished by 1998.
Whereas building of Ranjit Sagar Dam was accomplished in 2001, Shahpur Kandi barrage could not materialise and water from Ravi river continued stream into Pakistan.
In 2008, Shahpur Kandi venture was declared nationwide venture however building work began in 2013.
Mockingly, the venture was once more stalled as a consequence of disputes between Punjab and J&Ok in 2014.
Lastly in 2018, the Centre mediated and brokered an settlement between the 2 states. The work, which began quickly after, is lastly over.
The water which was going to Pakistan will now be used to irrigate two key districts of Jammu and Kashmir — Kathua and Samba. 1150 cusecs of water will now irrigate 32,000 hectares of land within the Union Territory.
Jammu and Kashmir may also be capable to get 20 per cent of the hydel energy generated from dam.
The 55.5 meters excessive Shahpurkandi Dam is a part of a multi-purpose river valley venture that features two hydel energy tasks with a complete put in capability of 206 MW. It’s constructed on river Ravi, 11 km downstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam Mission.
In addition to Jammu and Kashmir, the waters from the dam may also assist Punjab and Rajasthan.