CHENAB RIVER & SAWALKOTE DAM

CURRENT CONTEXT : The stalled Sawalkote Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir has been revived, becoming central to India’s strategy to harness hydropower potential from the river.

ABOUT CHENAB RIVER

• Tributary of: Indus River.
• Origin: Confluence of Chandra and Bhaga streams in Lahaul & Spiti (Himachal Pradesh).
• Other Name: Chandrabhaga (upper reaches).
• Course: Flows through Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir; joins Jhelum near Trimmu and then Sutlej.
• Tributaries:
  • Left Bank – Niru, Tawi, Neeru, Liddrari.
  • Right Bank – Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai, Marusudar, Miyar Nalla.
• Major Dams: Salal, Aalal, Baglihar, Dul.
• Water Sharing: Governed under Indus Waters Treaty (1960) – Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) allocated mainly to Pakistan.

ABOUT SAWALKOTE DAM

• Type: Run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant.
• Location: Ramban District, Jammu & Kashmir.
• Capacity: 2,185 MW – largest hydropower project in J&K, among the biggest in North India.
• Features: 192.5-metre roller-compacted concrete gravity dam.
• Output: 7,000+ million units electricity annually.
• Benefits:
  • Boosts power supply, especially in winter.
  • May make J&K power-surplus.
  • Flood mitigation & improved water management.