India strengthens water infrastructure to maximise its treaty rights over eastern rivers including Ravi River, Beas and Sutlej
New Delhi: India will stop the flow of surplus Ravi River water into Pakistan after March 31, 2026, as the Shahpur Kandi barrage and dam project moves towards completion. This step marks an important change in how India manages its share of river water and comes at a time of rising tensions between the two countries over water issues.
Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources Minister Javed Ahmed Rana has confirmed that once the project becomes operational, India will block the excess Ravi water that currently flows into Pakistan. He said the government will use this water to meet irrigation and local needs within the country.
Project Background
The Shahpur Kandi project is built on the Ravi River near the border of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Cabinet approved the project in December 2018 after it faced delays for several decades due to administrative and inter-state disputes.
The central government declared it a national project because of its strategic importance. It allocated ₹485.38 crore for the irrigation part of the project. Officials plan to complete and fully operate the project by March 31, 2026.
The project includes a barrage and dam that will help regulate and store water from the Ravi River. Authorities will then divert this water through canal networks to supply irrigation to Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir and some areas in Punjab.
Indus Waters Treaty Explained
Under the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 with the help of the World Bank, India and Pakistan divided the six rivers of the Indus basin. India received full rights over the eastern rivers, which are Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Pakistan received rights over the western rivers, which are Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, while India retained limited usage rights over them.
Even though India has exclusive rights over the Ravi River, it did not have enough infrastructure in the past to store and use all its share of water. Because of this, surplus water from the Ravi continued to flow into Pakistan for many years.
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With the Shahpur Kandi project nearing completion, India will now be able to use more of its allocated share before the water reaches the international border at Madhopur.
Irrigation and Local Benefits
Once the project starts functioning fully, it will bring major benefits to farmers and local communities. More than 32,000 hectares of land in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir will receive irrigation water. In addition, over 5,000 hectares of land in Punjab will also benefit from improved water supply.
Officials believe this will help farmers in drought-prone areas, reduce their dependence on irregular rainfall, and increase agricultural productivity. The project will also improve overall water management in the region.
Pakistan’s Concerns
Pakistan has shown concern about India’s decision, especially as the region prepares for high water demand during the summer season. Even though India is acting within its rights over the eastern rivers under the treaty, Pakistan fears that reduced flow of surplus Ravi water will increase pressure on its already stressed water resources.
Pakistani officials and media have described the move as part of India’s broader water strategy, which includes speeding up hydropower projects and reviewing water-sharing arrangements.
Treaty Suspension Context
India suspended certain aspects of the Indus Waters Treaty after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, which killed 26 people. This decision changed the diplomatic situation around water sharing between the two countries.
India says it is acting within its legal rights and is prioritising national and strategic interests. Pakistan has raised objections at international platforms and accused India of using water as a pressure tool.
Flow Will Not Fully Stop
Experts point out that the Shahpur Kandi project will not completely stop the Ravi River’s natural flow into Pakistan. Without additional storage projects such as the proposed Ujh reservoir and other supporting infrastructure, a significant amount of water may still cross the border.
This means the impact will be important but not absolute. India will be able to use more of its rightful share, but the river will not completely stop flowing into Pakistan.
Strategic Importance
The near completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage is not just an infrastructure achievement. It represents India’s effort to fully utilise its share of river water under the Indus Waters Treaty and strengthen irrigation in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The move carries agricultural, strategic and diplomatic significance for the region. As the March 31 deadline approaches, the project stands at the centre of changing water politics between India and Pakistan.
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