India Approves Critical Chenab River Hydropower and Tunnel Projects Worth ₹2,600 Crore
The largest sanctioned venture is the ₹2,352 crore Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel Project in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti, designed to construct an 8.7-km tunnel to divert surplus water across river basins.
The government also approved the Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project in J&K's Kishtwar district to maximize India's utilization of the western rivers' energy potential.
The timing of these approvals follows a strategic decision where India put standard bilateral engagements under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) framework in abeyance.
Exam Perspective: Infrastructure and energy developments along western rivers carry geopolitical and diplomatic significance, making them important case studies in cross-border resource diplomacy and energy policy.
Key Facts / Static GK
Under the IWT, Pakistan received primary rights over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab), while India retained limited rights for run-of-the-river power, irrigation, and non-consumptive uses.
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), a Premier PSU under the Ministry of Power, was established in 1975.
Practice Quiz — 25 May 2026
Q1. Which banking institution registered the highest target achievement of 288% under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) mobilization campaign during the financial year 2025-26?
Q2. Under which statutory legislation did the Reserve Bank of India grant the final Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) issuer authorization to ZikZuk Technologies?
Q3. Which mathematical model is utilized to structure the benchmark of India's first exchange-traded weather derivatives contract 'RAINMUMBAI'?
Q4. Who has been appointed to chair the newly formed PFRDA committee tasked with exploring new asset classes to maximize returns under the National Pension System (NPS)?
Q5. Which of the following represents the largest infrastructure development approved under India's recent ₹2,600 crore allocation for the Chenab river basin?
Keep Learning with PrepZen
Get daily current affairs, live mock tests, mistake bank, vocab builder & more — all free on your phone.