Post Indus Water Treaty suspension first ever dredging begins in chenab, aim to enhance hydra efficiency
For the first time since Indus Waters Treat’s suspension, desilting operations gained momentum across Himalayan rivers. Dredging began in the Chenab River, marking a significant shift after suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. A tender was floated to disilt and reopen six under-sluice gates earlier permanently plugged under Treaty provisions. The biggest operational impact was visible at Salal Power Station in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, on the Chenab. Executive Director Anish Gauraha talked about sedimentation management plan to improve operational efficiency of Power Pant. He added, “It will certainly reduce wear and tear,” explaining dredging aimed to minimize turbine damage. The executive director further talked about how the Treaty restricted undertaking ‘draw-down flushing for desilting and dredging’. Reservoir capacity declined sharply from 284.00 MCM to 9.91 MCM by the May 2025 bathymetric survey. Following Treat’s suspension and start of desilting process, the capacity was restored to 14 MCM. As per officials till now 1.7 lakh MT of sediments have been dredged out and 68490 MT disposed off
