- By Chetna Shree
- Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:07 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a bold move following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, the Indian government is pushing forward to reshape the Indus River system to meet rising water demands in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and other northern states ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha Elections.
During a high-level meeting last Friday, it was confirmed that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently being prepared to construct a 14-kilometre tunnel linking the Indus and Beas Rivers. The project is being fast-tracked with an eye on completion ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha Elections, NDTV quoted sources as saying. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been assigned the responsibility of preparing the DPR, which is expected to be completed by next year.
Govt Push For Indus Water Project
- In the wake of suspending the Indus Water Treaty, the Indian government has been working on a comprehensive plan to utilise its share of water from the Indus Water system.
- Under this, an ambitious Inter-Basin Indus Water Transfer Scheme has been conceived, with preliminary work underway at the highest levels of the government.
- The most technically demanding aspect of he project is the construction of a 14-kilometre-long tunnel to divert water from the Indus to the Beas River.
14-Kilometre-Long Tunnel To Link Indus And Beas Rivers
- The 14-kilometre-long tunnel is at the core of the project, linking the Indus and Beas Rivers to meet rising water demands in the northern states.
- A DPR is currently being prepared by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and is expected to be completed by next year.
- The construction of the 14-kilometre-long tunnel will use Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and rock shield technology to ensure both safety and worker safety.
- The tunnel alignment requires extensive geological studies, particularly to assess the strength of mountain rock. In areas with weaker rock formations, the Indus Water will be routed through special engineering pipes.
- The tunnel will connect the Ujh Multipurpose Project in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. This link will facilitate the diversion of water from the Ujh River to the Beas River.
- Upon completion of the tunnel, it will effectively integrate the Ravi-Beas-Sutlej river system with the Indus Water system, enabling India to optimise the usage of its water share after the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.
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Indus Water Project: Construction Details And Benefits For Northern States
- The construction of the project is expected to be completed within three to four years, with a targeted completion date of 2028, ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha Elections.
- The estimated cost of construction is expected to be around Rs 4,000-5,000 crore, and the tunnel will be built in multiple sections, NDTV reported.
- The Indus Water system is expected to improve drinking water availability in several northern states, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- Apart from this, the tunnel is expected to boost irrigation in arid regions, particularly in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district.