Powering ahead: Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project gets fresh clearance

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted a fresh environmental clearance to the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project in Jammu and Kashmir — a significant step toward strengthening India’s clean energy capacity and strategic infrastructure in the Indus basin.

About the project

The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-the-river scheme designed to tap the Chenab River for hydroelectric generation while minimising ecological disruption.

Developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd, it is poised to become one of India’s largest hydropower ventures in the Indus system.

River and location

• River: Chenab — a west-flowing tributary of the Indus River, shared under the Indus Waters Treaty.
• Location: Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir.
• Project area: Approximately 1,159 hectares, encompassing both riverine and forest land.

Historical timeline

• 1984: Project first proposed.
• 2017: Initial environmental clearance granted under the J&K Power Development Corporation (JKPDC).
• 2021: Project transferred to NHPC, authorised for development and operation till 2061.
• 2025: Fresh clearance issued by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) after India suspended participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, thereby accelerating work on western river projects for strategic and developmental purposes.

Key technical and financial features

• Installed capacity: 1,856 MW
• Stage I – 1,406 MW
• Stage II – 450 MW
• Dam type: 192.5-metre-high concrete gravity dam
• Reservoir capacity: 530 million cubic metres
• Annual Energy Generation: Around 8,000 million units (MUs)
• Revised project cost: Rs 31,380 crore (up from Rs 22,000 crore)

Significance

• Strategic importance: Enhances India’s utilisation of Indus basin waters amid regional hydropolitical concerns.
• Energy security: Strengthens renewable and hydro-based generation capacity in northern India.
• Regional development: Promotes infrastructure, employment and power stability in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Environmental consideration: Run-of-the-river design minimises displacement and ecological footprint compared to traditional storage dams.

UPSC relevance

Prelims pointers:

• Location of Sawalkote Project
• River: Chenab
• Implementing Agency: NHPC
• Type: Run-of-the-river

Mains (GS Paper III):

Topics — Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Development, Indus Waters Treaty and Strategic Water Utilisation, Environmental Clearance and Sustainable Development.

Sample Mains Question:

“Discuss the strategic and environmental significance of the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project in the context of India’s hydro-power policy and Indus basin management.”