Ratle Dam Project: Pakistan Objects, India Rejects Accusations on Indus Water Treaty

The Ratle Dam project that Pakistan has been objecting under the Indus Water Treaty will see action from the Indian side. New Delhi has decided to go ahead with the 850 MW Ratle Dam hydroelectric power project despite usual objections from Islamabad, which is under construction on the Chenab River.

Ratle Dam Project

The Ratle Hydroelectric Plant is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station currently under construction on the Chenab River, downstream of the village of Ratle in Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. The project includes a 133 m (436 ft) tall gravity dam and two power stations adjacent to one another. Water from the dam will be diverted through four intake tunnels about 400 m (0.25 mi) southwest to the power stations. The main power station will contain four 205 MW Francis turbines and the auxiliary power station will contain one 30 MW Francis turbine.

India vs Pakistan at Ratle Dam

While Pakistan claims that the Ratle dam violates the Indus Water Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, New Delhi has always maintained that the dam is a run-of-the-river hydroelectricity project and not in violation of the Indus water treaty.

According to the Indus water, India can build hydropower projects on the Jhelum and the Chenab but Pakistan has intentionally protested and attempted to stop the construction.

The Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir government have revived the Shahpur Kandi dam project and have entered into an agreement to commence the work that has been stalled for the past four years. While the Punjab government will begin the work, the water resources ministry will prepare an updated cost estimate and ensure cabinet approval.

The World Bank has allowed India to construct Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric project on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers with certain restrictions.

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