India Floats Tender for ₹22,704 Cr Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on Chenab River

India has invited international bids for the construction of the 1,856 MW Sawalkote hydroelectric project on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir. Estimated to cost ₹22,704.8 crore, the run-of-river project will be developed in two stages.

This marks a major strategic move to maximize India’s utilization of Indus waters under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). While the treaty grants India control over the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, it allows limited use of the western rivers, Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum, allocated to Pakistan.

Declared a project of national importance, Sawalkote has faced years of delays due to objections raised by Pakistan under the IWT framework and several regulatory challenges. Key hurdles included land compensation issues in 13 villages, relocation of an Army transit camp in Ramban, and the need for forest clearances and environmental approvals.

The tender signals renewed momentum in India's hydroelectric development along western rivers and reflects strategic intent amid regional water-sharing sensitivities.