India Takes First Step Towards Indus Water Treaty Withdrawal

[Suryavanshi]

They are still wasting over 90% water they have???

Damn they could reforest all of of baluchistan and Sindh with that much water.

 

[ezsasa]

Damn they could reforest all of of baluchistan and Sindh with that much water.

Forget Baluchistan, they don’t have water to supply in Karachi.

 

[Kshatriya87]

Damn they could reforest all of of baluchistan and Sindh with that much water.

That's India's argument is fair. They are not using the water. Let us use it.

 

[Haldiram]

They haven't listed the problem of population explosion in above article.

Whenever any study mentions "X will happen in Pakistan in 2040" I always wonder if Pakistan will remain alive as a single nation for that long. This is the only country whose lifespan is shorter than the lifespan of its citizens. An average Bengali citizen in East Paksitan lived for 70 years, but East Pakistan couldn't even survive for 30 years.

 

[Kshatriya87]

This is the only country whose lifespan is shorter than the lifespan of its citizens.

This made me crack up big time.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Whenever any study mentions "X will happen in Pakistan in 2040" I always wonder if Pakistan will remain alive as a single nation for that long. This is the only country whose lifespan is shorter than the lifespan of its citizens. An average Bengali citizen in East Paksitan lived for 70 years, but East Pakistan couldn't even survive for 30 years.

Well, real Pakistan has already ceased to exist if you watch logically.
The basis over which Jinnah founded that's of uniting Muslims of Indian Subcontinent failed in 1971 with creation of Bangladesh.

So, current Pakistan is a successor of one that Jinnah found, not that one. There has been a great crisis for new identity then, which resulted into defaced embedding of "Indian Muslims" and "Muslims in India" narratives. They tend to claim Indian history but they have great affinity to be with Iran, Arabs & Turks.

Attention from inconsistency is deviated by embedded radicalism. It's a never ending crisis within this country which results into export of terrorism. And till this crisis exists, Pakistan exists.
Because the point of India's partition has failed already.

 

[Chinmoy]

This made me crack up big time.

Yeah... @Haldiram nailed it big time. This needs a #

 

[AMCA]

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Cabinet
06-December-2018 21:16 IST
Cabinet approves implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam (National Project) on river Ravi in Punjab
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam Project, Punjab on river Ravi. For this, Central Assistance of Rs. 485.38 cr (for irrigation component) would be provided over five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23.

Implementation of this project would help minimising some of the water of the River Ravi which at present is going waste through the MadhopurHeadworks downstream to Pakistan.

Details:

• On completion of the project an Irrigation Potential of 5,000 ha in Punjab State and 32,173 ha in J&K State would be created.
• Funding for Central Assistance to Shahpurkandi Dam project shall be made through NABARD under existing system for funding of 99 PMKSY-AIBP projects under LTIF.
• In addition to existing monitoring mechanism for projects by Central Water Commission, a committee headed by Member, Central Water Commission and consisting of concerned Chief Engineers of Punjab and J&K and other concerned officers would be constituted to oversee/monitor the implementation of project.
• The Advisory committee of MoWR, RD&GR on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose Projects accepted the second Revised Cost Estimate amounting to Rs. 2715.70 crore (February, 2018 Price Level) in its 138th meeting held on 31.10.2018.
• The project would be implemented by Govt. of Punjab with Central Assistance of Rs. 485.38 crore The project would be completed by June 2022.

Impact:

• Some of the water of the River Ravi at present is going waste through the MadhopurHeadworks downstream to Pakistan whereas there is requirement for the same for use in Punjab and J&K. Implementation of the project would minimise such wastage of water.
• On completion of the project an additional Irrigation Potential of 5000 ha in Punjab State and 32173 ha in J&K State would be created.
• In addition, water being released to provide irrigation in 1.18 Lac ha area under UBDC system in Punjab would be managed/regulated efficiently through this project and the irrigation in the area would be benefitted. On completion, Punjab would also be able to generate 206 MW of hydropower.

Expenditure:

The balance cost of works component of ShahpurKandi Dam project is Rs. 1973.53 cr. (Irrigation component: 564.63 cr, Power component: 1408.90 cr.) Out of the this, Rs 485.38 Cr would be provided as Central Assistance.

Beneficiaries:

Irrigation in 5000 ha of land in Punjab and 32172 ha in J&K would be provided. The implementation of scheme would generate 6.2 lakh man-days employment for unskilled workers, 6.2 lakh man-days employment for semi-skilled andl 1.67 lakh man-days employment for skilled workers.

Background:

Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 for sharing of Indus waters. According to the Treaty, India got the full rights for utilization of waters of the three Eastern Rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Satluj.

Some of the water of the River Ravi at present is going waste through the MadhopurHeadworks downstream to Pakistan. Implementation of the project would minimise such wastage of water.

A Bilateral agreement was signed between Punjab and J&K in Jan, 1979. As per the agreement, construction of RanjitSagar Dam (Thein Dam) and Shahpurkandi Dam was to be taken up by Punjab Govt. RanjitSagar Dam was commissioned in Aug, 2000. The ShahpurKandi Dam project is proposed on River Ravi, 11 d/s of RanjitSagarDam and 8 km u/s of Madhopur Head Works.

The Project was initially approved by the Planning Commission during November, 2001 and was included under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Scheme (AIBP) of this Ministry for funding its irrigation component.

Revised cost of the ShahpurKandi Dam National project was approved by the Advisory Committee of MoWR, RD & GR on 24th August, 2009 for Rs. 2285.81 crore Central Assistance of Rs. 26.04 crore was released during period 2009-10 to 2010-11. However, the works could not progress much due to non-availability of funds on the part of Govt. of Punjab for power component and later interstate issues with J&K.

Series of meetings were held bilaterally as well as at Govt. of India level. Finally, an agreement was reached between Punjab and J&K states under the aegis of MoWR, RD&GR at New Delhi on 8th September, 2018.

 

[Chinmoy]

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Cabinet
06-December-2018 21:16 IST
Cabinet approves implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam (National Project) on river Ravi in Punjab
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam Project, Punjab on river Ravi. For this, Central Assistance of Rs. 485.38 cr (for irrigation component) would be provided over five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23.

Implementation of this project would help minimising some of the water of the River Ravi which at present is going waste through the MadhopurHeadworks downstream to Pakistan.

Details:

• On completion of the project an Irrigation Potential of 5,000 ha in Punjab State and 32,173 ha in J&K State would be created.
• Funding for Central Assistance to Shahpurkandi Dam project shall be made through NABARD under existing system for funding of 99 PMKSY-AIBP projects under LTIF.
• In addition to existing monitoring mechanism for projects by Central Water Commission, a committee headed by Member, Central Water Commission and consisting of concerned Chief Engineers of Punjab and J&K and other concerned officers would be constituted to oversee/monitor the implementation of project.
• The Advisory committee of MoWR, RD&GR on Irrigation, Flood Control and Multipurpose Projects accepted the second Revised Cost Estimate amounting to Rs. 2715.70 crore (February, 2018 Price Level) in its 138th meeting held on 31.10.2018.
• The project would be implemented by Govt. of Punjab with Central Assistance of Rs. 485.38 crore The project would be completed by June 2022.

Impact:

• Some of the water of the River Ravi at present is going waste through the MadhopurHeadworks downstream to Pakistan whereas there is requirement for the same for use in Punjab and J&K. Implementation of the project would minimise such wastage of water.
• On completion of the project an additional Irrigation Potential of 5000 ha in Punjab State and 32173 ha in J&K State would be created.
• In addition, water being released to provide irrigation in 1.18 Lac ha area under UBDC system in Punjab would be managed/regulated efficiently through this project and the irrigation in the area would be benefitted. On completion, Punjab would also be able to generate 206 MW of hydropower.

Expenditure:

The balance cost of works component of ShahpurKandi Dam project is Rs. 1973.53 cr. (Irrigation component: 564.63 cr, Power component: 1408.90 cr.) Out of the this, Rs 485.38 Cr would be provided as Central Assistance.

Beneficiaries:

Irrigation in 5000 ha of land in Punjab and 32172 ha in J&K would be provided. The implementation of scheme would generate 6.2 lakh man-days employment for unskilled workers, 6.2 lakh man-days employment for semi-skilled andl 1.67 lakh man-days employment for skilled workers.

Background:

Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 for sharing of Indus waters. According to the Treaty, India got the full rights for utilization of waters of the three Eastern Rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Satluj.

Some of the water of the River Ravi at present is going waste through the MadhopurHeadworks downstream to Pakistan. Implementation of the project would minimise such wastage of water.

A Bilateral agreement was signed between Punjab and J&K in Jan, 1979. As per the agreement, construction of RanjitSagar Dam (Thein Dam) and Shahpurkandi Dam was to be taken up by Punjab Govt. RanjitSagar Dam was commissioned in Aug, 2000. The ShahpurKandi Dam project is proposed on River Ravi, 11 d/s of RanjitSagarDam and 8 km u/s of Madhopur Head Works.

The Project was initially approved by the Planning Commission during November, 2001 and was included under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Scheme (AIBP) of this Ministry for funding its irrigation component.

Revised cost of the ShahpurKandi Dam National project was approved by the Advisory Committee of MoWR, RD & GR on 24th August, 2009 for Rs. 2285.81 crore Central Assistance of Rs. 26.04 crore was released during period 2009-10 to 2010-11. However, the works could not progress much due to non-availability of funds on the part of Govt. of Punjab for power component and later interstate issues with J&K.

Series of meetings were held bilaterally as well as at Govt. of India level. Finally, an agreement was reached between Punjab and J&K states under the aegis of MoWR, RD&GR at New Delhi on 8th September, 2018.

@tarunraju @Mikesingh @sayareakd .............. Few days back there was news of PA constructing canal and diverting water in Ravi. Today we got this.

That day too I said that if Pakis are trying to do this to counter cold start strategy, they are fool of highest caliber.

 

[Mikesingh]

@tarunraju @Mikesingh @sayareakd .............. Few days back there was news of PA constructing canal and diverting water in Ravi. Today we got this.

That day too I said that if Pakis are trying to do this to counter cold start strategy, they are fool of highest caliber.

I had mentioned this earlier too here that the Paki Generals idea of filling water between two embankments (rail and road) 200 meters apart from these waters to counter the CSD is a harebrained idea which is the hallmark of these mentally challenged Paki generals.

 

[AnantS]

@tarunraju @Mikesingh @sayareakd .............. Few days back there was news of PA constructing canal and diverting water in Ravi. Today we got this.

That day too I said that if Pakis are trying to do this to counter cold start strategy, they are fool of highest caliber.

Nothing new they did something similar earlier too, it was curtailed with help of Ranjit Sagar dam

https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010304/main5.htm

 

[Tibarn]

That we even let our own share go to Pakiland is absurd.

I am for scrapping the entire treaty itself, but that our previous governments couldn't even use the water we ourselves own and instead let it flow to an enemy country is idiotic.

 

[Aaj ka hero]

That we even let our own share go to Pakiland is absurd.

I am for scrapping the entire treaty itself, but that our previous governments couldn't even use the water we ourselves own and instead let it flow to an enemy country is idiotic.

I have concern, let see if we withdraw is it not then CHINESE will do something on brahmaputra front?
Those jokers are hell bent on not letting pakistan feel it is "alone".

 

[ezsasa]

I have concern, let see if we withdraw is it not then CHINESE will do something on brahmaputra front?
Those jokers are hell bent on not letting pakistan feel it is "alone".

Nope, this particular Chinese threat does not exist for now.

Trump is matching his rhetoric with actions now a days.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Centre okays dam on Ravi, will cut water flow to Pakistan

HIGHLIGHTS

• The move will allow India to use the water which at present goes “waste” flowing through the Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan.
• Once completed in June 2022, it will improve irrigation potential of farmers in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday approved implementation of the Shahpurkandi Dam project on the Ravi in Punjab. The move will allow India to use the water which at present goes “waste” flowing through the Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan. Once completed in June 2022, it will improve irrigation potential of farmers in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

Though the project was planned 17 years ago at an estimated cost of over Rs 2,285 crore, it could not be implemented due to paucity of funds with the state.

The Centre will provide financial assistance of over Rs 485 crore (for irrigation component) to the state for implementing the project over five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23.

The decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet, keeping in view the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan. Under this 1960 treaty, India has full rights for utilisation of waters of the three eastern rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Satluj.

READ ALSO::India refutes Pak's spin on just-concluded Indus Waters talks

The project will create an additional irrigation potential of 5,000 hectares in Punjab and 32,173 hectares in Jammu & Kashmir. In addition, Punjab will also be able to generate 206 MW of hydro-power.

The project was initially approved by the Planning Commission in November, 2001 and was included under the accelerated irrigation benefits scheme (AIBP) of the ministry of water resources for funding its irrigation component.

Revised cost of the ShahpurKandi Dam national project was approved by the advisory committee of the ministry in August, 2009. Though the central assistance of Rs 26 crore was released during period 2009-11, the works could not progress much due to non-availability of funds on the part of the Punjab government for power component and later due to inter-state issues with J&K.

 

[Anikastha]

Water crisis: Why is Pakistan running dry?
Pakistan could "run dry" by 2025 as its water shortage is reaching an alarming level. The authorities remain negligent about the crisis that's posing a serious threat to the country's stability, reports Shah Meer Baloch.

According to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan ranks third in the world among countries facing acute water shortage. Reports by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) also warn the authorities that the South Asian country will reach absolute water scarcity by 2025.

"No person in Pakistan, whether from the north with its more than 5,000 glaciers, or from the south with its 'hyper deserts,' will be immune to this [scarcity]," said Neil Buhne, UN humanitarian coordinator for Pakistan.

Researchers predict that Pakistan is on its way to becoming the most water-stressed country in the region by the year 2040.

It is not the first time that development and research organizations have alerted Pakistani authorities about an impending crisis, which some analysts say poses a bigger threat to the country than terrorism.

In 2016, PCRWR reported that Pakistan touched the "water stress line" in 1990 and crossed the "water scarcity line" in 2005. If this situation persists, Pakistan is likely to face an acute water shortage or a drought-like situation in the near future, according to PCRWR, which is affiliated with the South Asian country's Ministry of Science and Technology.

A water-intensive country

Pakistan has the world's fourth-highest rate of water use. Its water intensity rate — the amount of water, in cubic meters, used per unit of GDP — is the world's highest. This suggests that no country's economy is more water-intensive than Pakistan's.

According to the IMF, Pakistan's per capita annual water availability is 1,017 cubic meters — perilously close to the scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic meters. Back in 2009, Pakistan's water availability was about 1,500 cubic meters.

The bulk of Pakistan's farmland is irrigated through a canal system, but the IMF says in a report that canal water is vastly underpriced, recovering only a quarter of annual operating and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, agriculture, which consumes almost all annual available surface water, is largely untaxed.

Experts say that population growth and urbanization are the main reasons behind the crisis. The issue has also been exacerbated by climate change, poor water management and a lack of political will to deal with the crisis.

"Pakistan is approaching the scarcity threshold for water. What is even more disturbing is that groundwater supplies — the last resort of water supply — are being rapidly depleted. And worst of all is that the authorities have given no indication that they plan to do anything about any of this," Michael Kugelman, South Asia expert at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center, told DW in a 2015 interview.

Qazi Talhat, a secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources, told DW the situation is "scary" for Pakistan.

Water scarcity is also triggering security conflicts in the country. Experts say the economic impact of the water crisis is immense, and the people are fighting for resources.

Climate change

Water scarcity in Pakistan has been accompanied by rising temperatures. In May, at least 65 people died from heatstroke in the southern city of Karachi. In 2015, at least 1,200 people died during a spate of extremely hot weather.

"Heat waves and droughts in Pakistan are a result of climate change," Mian Ahmed Naeem Salik, an environmental expert and research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, told DW.

"The monsoon season has become erratic in the past few years. The winter season has shrunk from four to two months in many parts of the country. On top of it, Pakistan cannot save floodwater due to a scarcity of dams," Salik said. "At the time of Pakistan's birth in 1947, forests accounted for about 5 percent of the nation's area, but they have now dropped to only 2 percent. Pakistan must invest in building water reservoirs and plant more trees," he added. - Jihad against Forests ?

Water politics

The Tarbela and Mangla dams, the country's two major water reservoirs, reached their "dead" levels last week, according to media reports. The news sparked a debate on social media over the inaction of authorities in the face of this crisis.

"We have only two big reservoirs and we can save water only for 30 days. India can store water for 190 days whereas the US can do it for 900 days," Muhammad Khalid Rana, a spokesman for the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), told DW. - Blow these 2 dams up and they got nothing.

"Pakistan receives around 145 million acre feet of water every year but can only save 13.7 million acre feet. Pakistan needs 40 million acre feet of water but 29 million acre feet of our floodwater is wasted because we have few dams. New Delhi raised this issue with international bodies, arguing that it should be allowed to use the western rivers because Pakistan can't use them properly," Rana said. - Fair Point.

In 1960, the World Bank brokered the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) that gives Pakistan exclusive rights to use the region's western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenaub — while India has the authority over three eastern rivers.

The Pakistani government says New Delhi is not fulfilling its responsibilities under the IWT as it voices concerns over India's construction of new dams. New Delhi is building the Kishangaga hydroelectric plant in the north of Bandipore in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir region. In May, Islamabad approached the World Bank complaining that India violated the IWT by building the dam on a Jehlum River basin, which it lays claim on.

Kugelman says that the Pakistani authorities need to step up efforts to overcome the water crisis, which is partly man-made. "First of all, Pakistan's leaders and stakeholders need to take ownership of this challenge and declare their intention to tackle it. Simply blaming previous governments, or blaming India, for the crisis won't solve anything. Next, the government needs to institute a major paradigm shift that promotes more judicious use of water," Kugelman emphasized.

Wastage of water

Apart from the water storage issue, experts say that water wastage is also a big issue in the country. Abid Suleri, executive director of the Islamabad-based Sustainable Development Policy Institute, says the mismanagement takes place at many levels.

As the water crisis worsens in Pakistan, foreign diplomats and activists have taken to social media, urging people to save water.

"Using a bucket to save water while washing my car! #Pakistan ranks third amongst countries facing water shortage. One major reason is excessive use. 100 liters wasted washing a car with running tap water. Many ways to #SaveWater in our daily life! #SaveWaterforPak," Martin Kobler, German ambassador to Pakistan, wrote on Twitter.

In April, former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced Pakistan's first National Water Policy, promising consolidated efforts to tackle the water crisis.

But experts are skeptical about the authorities will to deal with the issue. The country will hold general elections on July 25 and there is an interim government currently in place. Water crisis is a priority neither for the caretaker government nor for the political parties contesting the polls.

Even by 2025 many part of India will go dry. We must start investing in Water desalination plant instead of fighting with neighboring states for water. But our politicians are busy stashing tax payers money in their bank account.

 

[Kshatriya87]

Centre okays dam on Ravi, will cut water flow to Pakistan

HIGHLIGHTS

• The move will allow India to use the water which at present goes “waste” flowing through the Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan.
• Once completed in June 2022, it will improve irrigation potential of farmers in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

READ ALSO::India refutes Pak's spin on just-concluded Indus Waters talks

Less water for GHAAS now. Good move. Need to start asap. If congress comes, they will stop the work or delay it indefinitely.

 

[Kshatriya87]

Even by 2025 many part of India will go dry. We must start investing in Water desalination plant instead of fighting with neighboring states for water. But our politicians are busy stashing tax payers money in their bank account.

River linking is most important I believe. Distribute the river waters evenly across India through river linking. Create more artificial lakes. Don't let the river waters go waste into the oceans.

 

[Kshatriya87]

That we even let our own share go to Pakiland is absurd.

I am for scrapping the entire treaty itself, but that our previous governments couldn't even use the water we ourselves own and instead let it flow to an enemy country is idiotic.

First we need to exploit the water in our own share at least. Once that is done, we can start on the next step. That too, only when Modi is in power can this be done.

"After all, the needs to the many outweigh the needs of the few." - Spock. (Also said by Sentinel)

 

[Darth Malgus]

Centre okays dam on Ravi, will cut water flow to Pakistan

HIGHLIGHTS

• The move will allow India to use the water which at present goes “waste” flowing through the Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan.
• Once completed in June 2022, it will improve irrigation potential of farmers in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

READ ALSO::India refutes Pak's spin on just-concluded Indus Waters talks

Maybe we can reroute all the sewage there. The Demography there should be able to easily acclimatize with it.