The Pakal Dul Dam is an under construction

concrete-face rock-fill dam A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, drinking water, human consumption, Indust ...

on the

Marusudar river Marusudar river or Maru Sudar river is the largest tributary, river tributary of the Chenab River, beginning at the Nunkun glacier of the Warwan Valley and joining the Chenab at Bhandarkoot in the Kishtwar district. As of 2021, 1000MW Pakal Dul Da ...

, a tributary of the

Chenab River The Chenab River is a major river in India and Pakistan, and is one of the 5 major rivers of the Punjab region. It is formed by the union of two headwaters, the Chandra and Bhaga, which rise in the upper Himalayas in the Lahaul region of Hima ...

, in

Kishtwar district Kishtwar district is an administrative district of the Jammu division of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir of the disputed Kashmir region.The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mention of the ...

of the

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

Jammu and Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir may refer to: * Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), a region administered by India as a union territory since 2019 * Jammu and Kashmir (state), a region administered by India as a state from 1952 to 2019 * Jammu and Kashmir (prin ...

. The primary purpose of the dam is

hydroelectric Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is Electricity generation, electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies 15% of the world's electricity, almost 4,210 TWh in 2023, which is more than all other Renewable energ ...

power generation. It will divert water to the south through a long headrace tunnel and into power station on the reservoir of the Dul Hasti Dam, on the Chenab. In February 2014, the project was awarded to a consortium of domestic and foreign countries. It includes

Afcons Infrastructure Afcons Infrastructure Limited is an Indian multinational construction and engineering company based in Mumbai. The company is involved in infrastructure EPC projects such as bridges, flyovers, metros, railway lines, tunnels, highways, ports a ...

Jaiprakash Associates Jaiprakash Associates Limited, commonly known as Jaypee Group, is an Indian Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with interests in engineering, construction, power, real estate, hospitality, IT, sports ...

and

Bharat Heavy Electricals Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is an Indian central public sector undertaking and the largest government-owned electrical/ industrial technology company. It is owned by the Government of India, with administrative control under ...

. Pakistan, which relies on the Chenab downstream, views the dam as a violation of the

Indus Water Treaty The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan, arranged and negotiated by the World Bank, to use the water available in the Indus River and its tributaries. It was signed in Karachi on 19 September 196 ...

, whereas India states it is as per treaty provisions. Indian Commentator Harshil Mehta wrote that the project holds strategic interest for India, apart from utilising just Hydropower, along with Kiru and Ratle, and Ujh multipurpose project.

Current status

* 2025 May: 1000 MW under-construction project 66% complete in May 2025Four hydel projects over Chenab in J&K likely to be commissioned by 2028
Hindustan Times, 3 May 2025. with expected completion date of Sept 2026.Centre to fast-track 4 hydro projects in Kishtwar, including dam at Pakal Dul
Indian Express, 7 May 2025.

References

Dams in Jammu and Kashmir Dams on the Chenab River Hydroelectric power stations in Jammu and Kashmir Kishtwar district Gravity dams {{India-dam-stub Dams under construction Dam controversies

Current status

See also

References