New Delhi: The Centre has invited tenders for the construction of the 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab river near Sidhu village in Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir.
This development adds to Pakistan’s woes, which already stand on the back foot after the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, following the Pahalgam terror attack.
NHPC has released an official notification, inviting e-tenders for the project that was originally conceived in the 1960s.
The last date for submission of online bids is September 10.
The project site is located near Sidhu village in Ramban district, roughly 120 km from Jammu and 130 km from Srinagar,
Construction of the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project is a major step to optimise India’s use of Indus water as the treaty remains suspended. The Indus Water Treaty was put in abeyance as one of India’s strict actions against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Yesterday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised the importance of the Indus Water Treaty is and criticised Congress for agreeing to various terms with Pakistan.
“The Indus Water Treaty, in many ways, is a very unique agreement. I cannot think of any agreement in the world where a country has allowed its major rivers to flow to the next country without having rights on that river,” Jaishankar said.