NEW DELHI (Feb 18, 2026) — India is set to fully utilize its share of the Ravi River and stop the flow of surplus water into Pakistan as the Shahpur Kandi Dam nears completion. Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Ahmed Rana confirmed that the project is on track to be operational by March 31, 2026.
Key Highlights
The completion of this dam marks a significant strategic and agricultural shift:
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Redirecting Resources: Instead of flowing downstream into Pakistan through Madhopur, surplus water will be diverted to drought-prone regions in Kathua and Samba (J&K) and parts of Punjab.
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Irrigation Boost: The project will provide water to approximately 32,000 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir and 5,000 hectares in Punjab.
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National Priority: Minister Rana emphasized that the “wastage” of water must stop, prioritizing local Indian farmers over lower-riparian flows into Pakistan.
Context: The Indus Waters Treaty
This move coincides with heightened regional tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025:
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Treaty in Abeyance: Following the attack, India formally put the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, linking water cooperation to Pakistan’s stance on terrorism.
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Legal Rights: While India has suspended treaty meetings, officials maintain that the Shahpur Kandi project is legally sound, as the Ravi is one of the three Eastern Rivers over which India has exclusive rights.
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Economic Impact: Pakistan, which relies on the Indus system for nearly 80% of its agriculture, faces an “acute risk” of water shortages as summer approaches.
