India Completely Stops Ravi River Water Flow to Pakistan: Reports

New Delhi: India has fully stopped the flow of the Ravi River into Pakistan, thanks to a newly-built barrage that allows it to harness the full potential of the water resource to the benefit of local farmers in the Kathua and Samba districts of the Jammu and Kashmir region.

The newly-built barrage enables India to retain 1150 cusecs of water previously destined for Pakistan, facilitating irrigation in the designated regions. This project, essential for irrigation and hydropower generation, has overcome years of resistance and challenges.

The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, allocates rights over various rivers. While India has exclusive rights over the waters of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers, Pakistan has access to the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers.

Initiated in 1995 by former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, the Shahpur Kandi Barrage Project faced suspension due to disputes between the governments of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. However, in 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to optimizing water resources for its farmers.

To ensure efficient water management, India has undertaken various projects, including storage facilities like the Bhakra Dam, Pong and Pandoh Dam, and Thein (Ranjitsagar) Dam. Additionally, initiatives like the Beas-Sutlej link and the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project have enabled India to utilize nearly all of its allocated water share from the eastern rivers.