📅 May 8, 2025, Post 7: Harnessing the Chenab: Hydroelectric Power Amid Geopolitical Currents | Mains Essay / Target IAS-26 MCQs Attached: A complete Package, Dear Aspirants!
Harnessing the Chenab: Hydroelectric Power Amid Geopolitical Currents
NATIONAL HERO — PETAL 008
🗓️ Date: May 8, 2025
⚡ Thematic Focus: GS3 – Energy Security | GS2 – India-Pakistan Relations | Environment
🌿 Intro Whisper:
Where rivers flow, so does power—both electrical and political. And on the bends of the Chenab, India begins to write a new chapter of strength.
🔍 Key Highlights:
- What’s in News:
India is accelerating the construction of four hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River and its tributaries in J&K’s Kishtwar district, amid heightened tensions with Pakistan.
🏞️ About the Chenab River:
- Origin: Formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Baralacha Pass, Himachal Pradesh.
- Path: Flows through Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir before entering Pakistan.
- Hydropower Potential:
➤ Firm potential: 3,600 MW
➤ Total installed capacity: ~11,400 MW - Tributaries:
➤ Upper Catchment: Thirot, Sohal, Liddrari, Marusudar
➤ Midstream: Kalnai, Neeru, Raghi, Bichleri
➤ Lower (in Pakistan): Tawi, Manawar Tawi
💡 Hydroelectric Projects on the Chenab
| Project | Capacity | Expected Completion | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakal Dul | 1,000 MW | Sept 2026 | Storage + ROR |
| Ratle | 850 MW | Nov 2028 | Run-of-River |
| Kiru | 624 MW | Sept 2026 | Run-of-River |
| Kwar | 540 MW | Dec 2027 | Run-of-River |
- Pakal Dul: India’s first storage-type hydroelectric project in this basin with 109 MCM live storage.
- Technological Edge: Use of Tunnel Boring Machine launched in July 2023 for advanced tunneling in hilly terrain.
- Cost Estimate:
➤ Pakal Dul alone: ₹8,112.12 crore
➤ All projects: massive strategic investment
📜 Indus Waters Treaty & Strategic Relevance:
- India has put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance due to recent security threats.
- The move allows faster implementation of river-control projects.
- These hydro plants, especially Pakal Dul, give India operational leverage over water flow during diplomatic standoffs.
🌐 Implications:
- Energy Security: Enhances renewable power generation and regional grid reliability.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Alters water availability downstream, creating anxiety in Pakistan.
- Environmental Impact: May affect aquatic ecosystems and river-dependent communities.
📘 GS Paper Mapping:
- GS Paper 2: India-Pakistan relations; Indus Waters Treaty
- GS Paper 3: Infrastructure; Hydroelectric projects; Environmental implications
- Essay: “Harnessing Himalayan Currents: India’s Strategic Use of River Power”
🌠 Closing Thought:
In every turbine that spins on the Chenab’s fury, there lies not just power, but a choice—between control and cooperation, between conflict and current.
Target IAS-26: Daily MCQs :
📌 Prelims Practice MCQs
Topic:
MCQ 1: Type-1 — “How many of the above statements are correct?”
Consider the following statements regarding India’s hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River:
1. The Chenab River originates from the Baralacha Pass in Himachal Pradesh through the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
2. Pakal Dul is a run-of-the-river project with no water storage capacity.
3. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan to regulate usage of water from rivers like the Chenab.
4. All four hydroelectric projects under construction are located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
A) Only two
B) Only three
C) All four
D) Only one
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: B) Only three
🧠 Explanation:
1) Correct – The Chenab originates from the Baralacha Pass via Chandra and Bhaga.
2) Incorrect – Pakal Dul is a storage-type project, not run-of-the-river.
3) Correct – The Indus Waters Treaty governs the use of Indus system rivers, including the Chenab.
4) Correct – All four projects (Pakal Dul, Ratle, Kiru, Kwar) are in Kishtwar district.
MCQ 2: Type-2 — Two-Statement Assertion
Consider the following statements:
1. Pakal Dul has a storage capacity of over 100 million cubic meters, making it strategically important.
2. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty to allow Pakistani engineers to inspect these projects.
A) Only 1 is correct
B) Only 2 is correct
C) Both are correct
D) Neither is correct
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: A) Only 1 is correct
🧠 Explanation:
1) Correct – Pakal Dul has 109 MCM live storage capacity.
2) Incorrect – India suspended parts of the treaty to assert control, not for Pakistani inspections.
MCQ 3: Type-3 — “Which of the above statements is/are correct?”
Consider the following statements about the hydro projects and Chenab River system:
1. Tunnel Boring Machines were introduced in 2023 to speed up construction in Pakal Dul.
2. Kiru and Ratle projects are expected to be completed after the Kwar project.
3. The total hydropower potential of the Chenab Basin is over 11,000 MW.
4. Pakistan’s concern is centered on India’s ability to divert water under the suspended treaty.
A) 1, 3 and 4 only
B) 1, 2 and 4 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) All four
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: A) 1, 3 and 4 only
🧠 Explanation:
1) Correct – TBM was launched in July 2023 for Pakal Dul.
2) Incorrect – Kwar (Dec 2027) finishes before Ratle (Nov 2028).
3) Correct – Total potential is about 11,400 MW.
4) Correct – Pakistan fears India’s ability to control water flow.
MCQ 4: Type-4 — Direct Factual Question
Which of the following hydroelectric projects has the largest planned capacity among those being constructed on the Chenab River?
A) Ratle
B) Kwar
C) Kiru
D) Pakal Dul
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
✅ Correct Answer: D) Pakal Dul
🧠 Explanation:
D) At 1,000 MW, Pakal Dul is the largest of the four hydroelectric projects under development.
