Shahpurkandi dam ready, capacity testing underway

The much-awaited construction of the ambitious Shahpurkandi dam project has been completed and the filling of the reservoir is in the final stages, paving way for its operationalisation soon.

The dam has been constructed after much delay. The work on the project started in 2013, but the J&K Government suddenly stopped it in 2014. The work resumed only after an agreement was ratified by J&K and Punjab in September 2018.

Once functional, the project will meet irrigation requirements of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. In addition, it will supply 206 MW electricity to Punjab.

The dam, located on the Ravi river, will enable Jammu and Kashmir to start receiving its allocated share of water of 1,150 cusecs through the Ravi canal directly from the Shahpurkandi reservoir. The project has the potential to irrigate around 5,000 hectares in Punjab and 32,000 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sambha and Kathua districts. Also, the dam will help save any excess Ravi water that used to flow to Pakistan during the rainy season.

According to information, the construction of the project had been completed. However, as per the Dam Safety Act, 2021, the dam safety is to be checked by a panel of experts before it is filled to capacity. The filling of the reservoir was started in November 2024.

“At present, the preliminary permissible level in the reservoir has been achieved and the structural behaviour of the dam is being observed. The panel of experts is finalising its report. Once the desired water level is achieved, the water will start flowing into the Ravi canal. This will enable Jammu and Kashmir to start receiving its allocated share of water,” said Chief Engineer (Canals), Punjab, Sher Singh.

At present, the flow of water downstream is being managed through the gates on the barrage, but the supply is erratic in the absence of the dam.

The dam has been constructed after a long struggle. The project was initially started on the outsourcing mode in 2013. The work went on for 17 months but the J&K Government suddenly stopped it in August 2014.

“The work remained suspended for 50 months and was restarted after an agreement was ratified by both J&K and Punjab in September 2018. Thereafter, the construction was affected during the pandemic. In 2022, the project gained momentum. At present, the work on the Mani dam along with other various components like head regulators, hydel channel, barrel, aqueduct, etc. has been completed,” said Sher Singh.