Union Cabinet approves implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam
Why in News?
- Union Cabinet has approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam Project on river Ravi in Punjab.
- The project will be implemented by Punjab Government with central assistance of Rs. 485.38 crore (for irrigation component) over a five years period from 2019 to 2023.
- It will be completed by June 2022.
- Funding for central assistance will be made through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under the existing system for funding of 99 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) projects under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF).
Significance of this Project:
- ShahpurKandi Dam project was proposed on River Ravi.
- This project will help minimizing some of water of River Ravi which at present is going waste through Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan.
- It will create an irrigation potential of 5,000 hectares in Punjab and 32,173 hectares in Jammu & Kashmir on completion.
- Besides, Punjab will be able to generate 206 MW of hydropower.
Indus Waters Treaty:
- Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 for sharing of Indus waters.
- According to this treaty, India got the full rights for utilization of waters of three eastern rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Satluj.
- Bilateral agreement was signed between Punjab and J&K in January 1979 for construction of RanjitSagar Dam (Thein Dam) and Shahpurkandi Dam by Punjab Government.
- RanjitSagar Dam was commissioned in August 2000.