With Shahpur Kandi Dam Close to Completion, India Moves to Fully Utilise Ravi Waters, Cutting Downstream Flow to Pakistan

India is on the verge of completing a major infrastructure milestone that could transform water utilisation in northern regions while reinforcing its long-standing river rights. The Shahpur Kandi Dam project, located near the border of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, is expected to allow the country to fully utilise waters from the Ravi River that previously flowed downstream unused. Once operational, the project will redirect water toward irrigation, energy generation, and regional development, particularly benefiting agricultural communities facing water shortages.

The initiative reflects a broader shift toward optimising natural resources within national boundaries while addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps that had limited India’s ability to use its legally allocated water share.

File photo of Shahpur Kandi dam | News18

Legal Framework and Treaty Context

The development remains fully consistent with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. Under this agreement, India received exclusive rights over the eastern rivers Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej while Pakistan gained control over the western rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Despite these provisions, a lack of adequate storage and diversion infrastructure meant that a portion of Ravi’s water continued to flow across the border for decades.

With the Shahpur Kandi Dam nearing completion, India is now positioned to fully utilise its entitlement under the treaty. Officials have emphasised that the project does not violate any international commitments but rather implements rights that were always available but underused.

Agricultural Transformation and Regional Impact

One of the most significant outcomes of the project will be improved irrigation coverage across parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. Thousands of hectares of farmland, particularly in Kathua and Samba districts, are expected to receive reliable water supply, reducing dependence on rainfall and groundwater extraction. This increased availability could enhance crop productivity, stabilise farmer incomes, and strengthen rural economies.

The project will also improve the functioning of canal systems connected to existing infrastructure, creating a more efficient water distribution network across the region. For semi-arid areas that have historically struggled with inconsistent irrigation, the dam represents a long-awaited opportunity for agricultural stability and growth.

Energy Generation and Infrastructure Integration

The Shahpur Kandi system is closely linked with the operations of the nearby Ranjit Sagar Dam, allowing better regulation of river flows and supporting hydropower production. Improved coordination between these projects is expected to increase electricity generation capacity while ensuring more effective water storage during monsoon periods.

Beyond power and irrigation, authorities have highlighted the potential for tourism and local economic development around the reservoir area. Improved infrastructure, employment opportunities, and regional connectivity could further contribute to long-term economic benefits.

Strategic Significance in a Changing Geopolitical Environment

The project also carries strategic importance in the context of evolving regional dynamics. Efficient utilisation of river waters strengthens resource security and reduces wastage, which is increasingly critical in an era of climate uncertainty and rising demand. While downstream impacts may draw attention in Pakistan, India maintains that it is exercising legitimate treaty rights through infrastructure development rather than altering river allocations.

In recent years, water management has become an important element of national planning, and projects like Shahpur Kandi demonstrate a growing emphasis on maximising domestic resources for economic and developmental priorities.

The MGMM Outlook

The near completion of the Shahpur Kandi Dam marks a decisive step toward correcting decades of underutilisation of India’s rightful river resources. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India has always held exclusive control over the eastern rivers, including the Ravi River, yet inadequate infrastructure allowed large volumes of water to flow unused across the border. The project reflects a long-overdue focus on national resource optimisation, ensuring that water meant for Indian agriculture and development is finally directed toward domestic needs. By strengthening irrigation networks in border districts and reducing dependence on erratic rainfall, the initiative has the potential to stabilise farmer incomes and reinforce regional food security.

The integration of the dam with the Ranjit Sagar Dam system also highlights a broader strategic vision that combines water management, energy generation, and economic growth. Efficient storage and regulated river flow not only enhance hydropower capacity but also create opportunities for tourism, employment, and infrastructure expansion in surrounding regions. In an era of climate uncertainty and rising geopolitical sensitivities around water, fully utilising treaty-allocated resources strengthens national resilience while remaining within international legal commitments, signalling a shift toward more assertive and self-reliant resource planning.

(Sources: News18, Times of India, NDTV)