A model of Shahpur Kandi dam (Image courtesy: PSPCL) JAMMU: India is preparing to stop surplus water from the Ravi flowing into Pakistan once the Shahpur Kandi dam on Punjab-J&K border becomes operational, marking a long-awaited shift in use of eastern river waters of Indus basin.J&K minister Javed Ahmed Rana said Monday the dam is expected to be completed by March 31 and is a priority for drought-prone Kathua and Samba districts. Officials said the project will irrigate about 5,000 hectares in Punjab and more than 32,173 hectares across Kathua and Samba in J&K. Central assistance of Rs 485.38 crore was approved for the irrigation component.India Speeds Up Chenab Hydropower Projects, Redrawing Indus Rivers Water Control Lines For PakistanFormer irrigation minister Taj Mohideen said the dam falls outside Indus Waters Treaty because India has exclusive rights over the Ravi. Rana added that suspension of the treaty has accelerated power and dam projects in J&K.The 1960 treaty divides the Indus system’s waters, designating eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) to India and western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. India put the treaty in abeyance after the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, a sharp policy shift aimed at pressuring Pakistan over cross-border terrorism.The move halted data sharing and opened the door for greater use of western river waters.Part of the Ravi flows unused through Madhopur into Pakistan despite demand in Punjab and J&K, Rana said, stressing that the dam would curb such wastage. Projects like Shahpur Kandi are critical to reallocating flows towards domestic irrigation and away from downstream discharge.The project was first cleared in Nov 2001 but stalled for years amid interstate disputes. After a series of bilateral and central meetings, Punjab and J&K reached an agreement in Sept 2018. Union cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved implementation on Dec 6 that year.Bani MLA Dr Rameshwar Singh said residents had waited years for completion. “Once it is completed, the water will no longer flow into Pakistan but will instead be used to irrigate our own vast areas in Kathua,” he said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnion Minister Vaishnaw Details India’s Measures To Handle Deepfake Threats‘Crucial Role For India In AI Governance’: Duncan Cass-Beggs At AI SummitFarewell Address To Nation: Yunus Steps Down Before BNP Takes Charge In DhakaMega AI Summit In Delhi, 20 Heads Of State To Attend; Which Names Figure In New Epstein Files Dump?’From 25 Years To 5’ Rajnath Singh Pushes DRDO With 5-Year Ultimatum On 5th And 6th Gen EnginesIndian Team To Visit US Next Week To Finalise Trade Deal Framework As Govt Faces Opposition Fire’AI Works On Data, Humans Create The Unseen’: CBFC Chairman Prasoon Joshi At AI Impact Summit 2026″Pierce Brosnan To Play Me?” Karti Chidambaram Jokes Amid Dhurandhar Buzz“India Must Move Fast In Ai Era”: Chief Economic Adviser Calls For Structural Reforms’AI Will Create More Than It Destroys’: Microsoft India Chief Puneet Chandok Predicts 3-Year Rise123PhotostoriesBhabiji Ghar Par Hain: From Aasif Sheikh to Shilpa Shinde; A look at the cast’s per-episode feesHow to make traditional Lasuni Dal Tadka for lunch at homeSivakarthikeyan birthday special: From ‘Velaikkaran’ to ‘Hero’ – films to stream on OTT5 animals that thrive on both land and water, and where to spot themT20 World Cup Special: How to make Ishan Kishan’s favourite Chilli Paneer & Garam ParathaFrom Vada Pav to Pumpkin Chicken Curry: 10 comforting dishes that Sachin Tendulkar loves to eat8 popular types of motorbikes and their uses8 comforting steamed egg dishes to try from around the world7 stunning colour-changing birds found around the worldBefore fame, THIS Bollywood comedian worked as a factory tailor, tragedy struck when his wife died minutes after childbirth123Hot PicksBengal election commissionGold Silver PricesSaudi Labour Law ViolationVB-G RAM G schemeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingKarnataka Student Death in BerkeleyBengaluru Car CrashJosh MorrisseyJutta LeerdamAuston MatthewsKayla NicoleAnthony JoshuaChris PaulDarron LeeKyle Busch Net Worth
JAMMU: India is preparing to stop surplus water from the Ravi flowing into Pakistan once the Shahpur Kandi dam on Punjab-J&K border becomes operational, marking a long-awaited shift in use of eastern river waters of Indus basin.J&K minister Javed Ahmed Rana said Monday the dam is expected to be completed by March 31 and is a priority for drought-prone Kathua and Samba districts. Officials said the project will irrigate about 5,000 hectares in Punjab and more than 32,173 hectares across Kathua and Samba in J&K. Central assistance of Rs 485.38 crore was approved for the irrigation component.
Former irrigation minister Taj Mohideen said the dam falls outside Indus Waters Treaty because India has exclusive rights over the Ravi. Rana added that suspension of the treaty has accelerated power and dam projects in J&K.The 1960 treaty divides the Indus system’s waters, designating eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) to India and western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. India put the treaty in abeyance after the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, a sharp policy shift aimed at pressuring Pakistan over cross-border terrorism.The move halted data sharing and opened the door for greater use of western river waters.Part of the Ravi flows unused through Madhopur into Pakistan despite demand in Punjab and J&K, Rana said, stressing that the dam would curb such wastage. Projects like Shahpur Kandi are critical to reallocating flows towards domestic irrigation and away from downstream discharge.The project was first cleared in Nov 2001 but stalled for years amid interstate disputes. After a series of bilateral and central meetings, Punjab and J&K reached an agreement in Sept 2018. Union cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved implementation on Dec 6 that year.Bani MLA Dr Rameshwar Singh said residents had waited years for completion. “Once it is completed, the water will no longer flow into Pakistan but will instead be used to irrigate our own vast areas in Kathua,” he said.
