India has begun the construction of two hydro projects, Kiru and Kwar, on the Chenab River. These projects’ designs are alleged to violate the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960. Pakistan and India are already embroiled in disputes over other projects like the 330MW Kishanganga and 850MW Ratle hydropower projects. The recent developments concerning the Kiru and Kwar projects have been communicated between the countries, with India being obliged to share its project designs under the IWT.
The Kiru hydroelectric project, located in the Kishtwar district of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), is expected to start operations by July 2025. The Chenab Valley Power Projects joint venture is spearheading it.
Concerns over Design Violations
Pakistan has raised concerns over various design elements of these new projects, including spillways, freeboards, and ponds. A senior official from Pakistan’s Commission of Indus Waters shared that India seems to be consistently breaching design-related provisions of the IWT 1960, drawing parallels with the contentious designs of the Kishanganga and Ratle projects. Both nations seek legal resolutions in The Hague over these perceived design infringements. If Pakistan emerges victorious in these legal battles, it may deter India from pursuing future projects with similar designs that allegedly breach the IWT.
