This isn't just any infrastructure project; it's the Sawalkot Dam, a massive 1865-megawatt initiative located in the stunning Jammu and Kashmir region, poised to harness the mighty Chenab River. Originally conceived in 1984, this ambitious plan languished for decades due to disagreements between central and state governments. However, in the wake of recent regional tensions, the Indian government has re-evaluated the Sawalkot Dam, elevating it to a project of immense strategic importance. Their goal is clear: to fully utilize the Chenab's vast hydropower potential, ensuring energy security and strengthening India's position on the geopolitical chessboard. While officially touted as a "run-of-the-river" project—meaning it supposedly generates electricity without significantly disrupting natural water flow—environmental experts are raising serious questions, pointing to the planned 192.5-meter concrete dam that will create a staggering 1,159-hectare reservoir. This, they argue, stretches the definition of "run-of-the-river" to its breaking point.
The project's journey through environmental approvals has been contentious. While the Forest Advisory Committee granted initial forest clearance, they controversially bypassed crucial "Cumulative Impact Assessment" and "Caring Capacity Studies," citing that the guidelines for these assessments were established after the project's initial 1984 approval. Critics highlight the potential felling of over 200,000 trees and the impact on 846 hectares of forestland. Yet, the Power and Home Ministries have forcefully advocated for swift approval, emphasizing the dam's undeniable strategic value. This strategic push is deeply intertwined with the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) of 1960, brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan. The IWT largely allocates the waters of the Western Rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – to Pakistan, with India permitted only limited, non-consumptive uses like run-of-the-river hydropower. However, after recent security incidents, India placed the IWT on "abeyance," signaling its intent to fully assert its rights over these waters. By completing projects like Sawalkot, India aims to employ "water diplomacy," leveraging its control over river flow to exert pressure on Pakistan. More critically, the dam will provide a continuous, vital power supply to infrastructure and military installations in Jammu and Kashmir, bolstering national security and development in the strategically sensitive region. This isn't just about power generation; it's about power projection, making the Sawalkot Dam a pivotal element in India's regional strategy.
