Baglihar Dam

Current Context: India has recently halted the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River, a move perceived as a strategic response to escalating tensions with Pakistan.

About Baglihar Dam:

• Location: Situated in the Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
• Project Details: A run-of-the-river hydroelectric power project comprising a 144.5-meter-high concrete gravity dam and an underground powerhouse.
• Capacity: Generates 900 MW of electricity through two stages of 450 MW each.
• Construction Timeline: Planning commenced in 1992, with construction starting in 1999 and completion in 2008.
• Strategic Importance: The dam’s operation has been a point of contention under the Indus Waters Treaty, with recent actions indicating a shift in water-sharing dynamics between India and Pakistan.

About Chenab River

• The Chenab River literally means “Moon” (Chan) and “River” (aab); is a major river of India and Pakistan.
• It is a tributary of the Indus River.
• Origin: It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga,at Tandi in the upper Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti Districts of Himachal Pradesh.
  • In its upper reaches, it is also known as the
• Total length : 605 miles (974 km), and it feeds several irrigation canals.
• Tributaries: include Miyar Nalla, Sohal, Thirot, Bhut Nalla, Marusudar, and Lidrari.