Centre fast-tracks Indus river projects in mega water push for North India: Report

The government is likely to commission the development of a 14-kilometer long tunnel that will connect Beas and Indus rivers

The Centre is planning to redirect Indus river waters to large parts of North India, months after New Delhi put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance over Pahalgam terrorist attack, News18 reported on September 25.

The government is building a three-pronged political, strategic and development plan to make this project ready before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, the report said.

Last week, Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said the Central government is considering diverting the water, which flowed to Pakistan, to states such as Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana within the next two years.

“The large quantity of water that was discharged towards Pakistan will now be brought and supplied to Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan in the coming one or one and a half years,” Lal had said during the launch of the Delhi Drainage Master Plan 2025.

What’s the action plan?

The government is likely to commission the development of a 14-kilometer long tunnel that will connect Beas and Indus rivers. The report, citing sources, said the work has already started on the Detailed Project Report and engineering major Larsen & Toubro has been appointed to finish the task within a year.

Moreover, Union home minister Amit Shah and Jal Shakti minister CR Patil chaired a high-level meeting with Delhi officials to review the progress. The meeting was also attended by Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and also discussed Yamuna River Front Project, News18 said.

Challenge and benefits

The construction of the tunnel is likely to be a herculean task as rugged terrain of the Himalayas pose a massive challenge. Sources told News18 that a geological study will be conducted that will map the strong and weak points of the mountains for laying down pipelines safely.

Once ready, Rajasthan, J&K, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab will be connected through canals, ensuring steady flow of water.

India’s new water doctrine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi justified suspension of the water treaty with Pakistan, saying “terror and talks can’t go together”. Since the suspension, the government has pushed for water infrastructure projects in the region, with work on the Beas-Ganga-Yamuna corridor progressing rapidly, the website said.