Archive · 18 Jul 2025
India Plans Dams and Canals to Divert Water From Indus Basin
India wants to use more water from the Indus River, which it currently shares with Pakistan.
They're planning to build canals and dams to move water to places that need it, like Delhi and farms in other states.
This plan involves connecting several rivers and using an existing canal, but the project could take a long time and cost a lot of money.
The goal is to provide more water for agriculture and cities, while also having control over water flow.
India plans to develop dams and reservoirs to divert water from the Indus basin to address water shortages in Delhi and irrigation needs in several states.
The project involves linking the Indus and Chenab rivers with the Ravi-Beas-Sutlej canal system and the under-construction Sutlej-Yamuna Link.
The government suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, allowing India to control water flow from the Indus River.
The project may involve constructing a 113-km canal to redirect water from Jammu and Kashmir.
The project's completion could take 6-10 years, requires significant investment, and faces challenges like land acquisition and environmental clearances.
- Who
- The Union water ministry, state-run hydroelectric power generators (NHPC Ltd and SJVN Ltd), and the governments of Punjab and Haryana are involved.
- What
- India is planning to develop dams and reservoirs to link the Indus and Chenab rivers, aiming to divert water for irrigation and to address water shortages.
- When
- The plan was initiated after India suspended its participation in the Indus Water Treaty in response to the 2022 Pahalgam attack.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
- Why
- To address water shortages, meet irrigation needs in several states, and potentially limit water available to Pakistan.
Punjab
Other States
Water Sharing
Punjab
Punjab wants to ensure they have sufficient water.
Other States
Other states need a reliable water source and want to have a stake in the Indus water.
- Project Scope
- Linking Indus and Chenab rivers with the Ravi-Beas-Sutlej system and the SYL canal.
- Key Rivers
- Indus, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Yamuna.
- SYL Canal
- Under-construction Sutlej-Yamuna Link.
- IWT
- Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan.
- Estimated Project Cost
- ₹2-3 trillion
- Potential Timeframe
- 6-10 years for planning