PM Modi had speeded up the hydroelectric projects in Jammu region to ensure optimal use of river waters. The Shahpur Kandi barrage, a national project, was revised after four decades following the intervention of the PM.

Since the terror attack in Baisaran valley in Pahalgam last year, India made a steady progress on four ongoing hydel power projects in Jammu and Kashmir over the Chenab river, and they are likely to be commissioned in 2027-28.

Under the flawed Indus water treaty, brokered by the World Bank, six rivers were divided between the two countries The eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) were given to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) were given to Pakistan, with India permitted limited, non-consumptive use of the latter.

On December 6, 2018, the cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved implementation of the Shahpur Kandi project, and a central assistance of ₹485.38 crore (for irrigation component) was granted. On completion of the project, an irrigation potential of 5,000 hectares of land in Punjab and 32,173 hectares in J&K’s Kathua and Samba districts would be created.

Implementation of the project in collaboration with Punjab would help minimising the water of the River Ravi which was going waste through the Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan.

In addition, water being released to provide irrigation in 1.18 lakh hectares area in Punjab would be managed/regulated efficiently through this project.

On completion, Punjab would also be able to generate 206 MW of hydropower.

The project goes back decades. A bilateral agreement was signed between Punjab and J&K in 1979, as per which the construction of Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam) and Shahpur Kandi Dam was to be taken up by Punjab. The project was approved by the Planning Commission in 2001. A revised cost was approved by the Centre in 2009.

However, work could not progress on Shahpur Kandi much due to non-availability of funds on the part of the government of Punjab for the power component and later interstate issues with J&K. A series of meetings followed between J&K and Punjab, and with the Centre. Finally, an agreement was reached between Punjab and J&K states in Delhi in 2018. The then PM PV Narsimha Rao had laid the foundation stone in 1995. The project was declared a national project by the Union Ministry of Water Resources in February 2008.

About 80 km of the Ravi canal and 492.5 km of distribution network in J&K constructed years ago had remained unutilised due to continuous delays in the completion of the barrage.

Srinagar, Feb 16:  A large number of daily wagers and contractual employees took out a protest march here on Monday to demand regularisation of their services in the Jammu and Kashmir government.

The protesters marched from Nawa-i-Subah complex to TRC crossing, raising slogans in support of their demand for regularisation of their services in the government.

The employees, who had gathered under the banner of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), were carrying placards which read ‘nothing short of regularisation in service will be acceptable’.

The protesting employees said the Omar Abdullah government should “wake up” and fulfil the promises made to them.

The EJAC had organised a similar protest here on February 12.

There are more than 60,000 employees who have been working as daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir for many years.

Srinagar, Feb 16: The Meteorological Department on Monday stated that Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness mainly dry and stable weather conditions till February 26, with no major rain or snowfall predicted during this period.

Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the overall weather scenario across the Union Territory will remain largely calm, except for brief spells of light snowfall over isolated higher reaches on select days.

According to the forecast, a possibility of light snowfall exists over isolated higher altitudes on February 17. From February 18 to 24, the weather is expected to stay predominantly dry.

On February 25 and 26, skies may remain partly to generally cloudy. From February 27 to 28, conditions are likely to stay partly to generally cloudy, with chances of light rain or snow over isolated higher reaches, particularly towards the evening or night of February 28.

For March 1 and 2, the MeT department has predicted generally cloudy weather with light snowfall at isolated higher elevations.

The department has advised farmers to continue agricultural activities as conditions remain favourable. It also indicated that both minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to witness a gradual rise across most places over the next week.

Residents, especially those living in snow-bound and higher areas, have been cautioned against venturing into avalanche-prone and steep slopes as a safety measure. (KNC)