After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India is preparing to launch a triple attack to break the back of Pakistan. In this regard, India is considering doubling the Ranbir Canal to bring down Pakistan’s arrogance. Through this, a large amount of water from the Chenab River flowing to Pakistan’s Punjab will be stopped in India itself. Currently, only one Ranbir canal carries the water of Chenab to various areas of Jammu. We are not able to get our full share of water through this canal.
The doubling of the canal will allow India to divert 150 cubic meters of water. Soon after the killing of 26 civilians in Kashmir, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty. This treaty manages the sharing of water under the Indus River system. Despite India and Pakistan agreeing on a ceasefire, the agreement has not been restored. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered officials to expedite the execution of projects on the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus rivers. One of the major projects is the doubling of the Ranbir Canal.
An official said that discussions on this started last month and are continuing even after the ceasefire. About 80 percent of Pakistan’s agriculture depends on the Indus river system and almost all hydroelectric projects are also located on it.
Islamabad is aware of the kind of pressure it could face if India starts blocking water by building dams, canals, or other infrastructure.
At present, the Ranbir Canal is about 120 km long. If it is expanded, India can divert 150 cubic meters of water from the Chenab River every second, whereas at present this quantity is only 40 cubic meters. The water of the Chenab River is extremely important for agriculture and drinking water in Pakistan’s Punjab region.
