Environmental Approval for Dulhasti Stage-II Hydroelectric Project
The Union Environment Ministry’s sectoral expert appraisal committee (EAC) on hydel projects has recommended an environmental nod for the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. This decision is part of the Centre's efforts to accelerate pending infrastructure projects in the Indus River basin.
Project Details
- The project will be developed by NHPC Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 3,277.45 crore.
- Dulhasti Stage-II will utilize existing infrastructure from the Dulhasti Stage-I, a 390 MW run-of-the-river scheme commissioned in 2007.
- Water will be drawn from the Marusudar River through the Pakal Dul project.
- The project area spans 60.3 hectares, with 8.26 hectares to be acquired from 62 families in Banzwar and Palmar villages.
Indus Water Treaty Context
The water of the Chenab basin is shared between India and Pakistan as per the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), 1960. However, the treaty has been suspended effective from April 23, 2025, following a terror attack in April 2022.
Environmental and Conservation Measures
- The project clearance includes conditions for a river conservation strategy to mitigate hydrological alterations.
- Focus on environmental flow regimes, channel morphology restoration, and biodiversity protection.
Existing and Planned Projects in the Chenab Basin
The Chenab River basin hosts several operational projects:
- Dulhasti-I (390 MW, Kishtwar)
- Baglihar (890 MW, Ramban)
- Salal (690 MW, Reasi)
Projects under construction include:
- Ratle (850 MW)
- Kiru (624 MW)
- Kwar (540 MW)
