Union Cabinet approves implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam

Union Cabinet has approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam Project on river Ravi in Punjab.

• It has also approved central assistance of Rs. 485.38 crore (for irrigation component) over a five years period from 2019 to 2023.
• The project will be implemented by Punjab Government with central assistance.
• It will be completed by June 2022.

Funding of the Project:

• The total cost of this project is Rs. 1973.53 crore (Irrigation component: 564.63 cr, Power component: 1408.90 cr).
• Out of this, Rs 485.38 cr would be provided as Central Assistance.
• Funding for central assistance will be made through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under the existing system for funding of 99 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) projects under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF).

Significance of this Project:

• This project will help minimizing some of water of River Ravi which at present is going waste through Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan.
• It will create an irrigation potential of 5,000 hectares in Punjab and 32,173 hectares in Jammu & Kashmir on completion. 
• Besides, Punjab will be able to generate 206 MW of hydropower.

Other Details:

• Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 for sharing of Indus waters.
• According to this treaty, India got the full rights for utilization of waters of three eastern rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Satluj.
• Bilateral agreement was signed between Punjab and J&K in January 1979 for construction of RanjitSagar Dam (Thein Dam) and Shahpurkandi Dam by Punjab Government. 
• RanjitSagar Dam was commissioned in August 2000.
• ShahpurKandi Dam project was proposed on River Ravi.
• The Project was initially approved by erstwhile Planning Commission in November 2001 and was included under AIBP for funding its irrigation component.
• However, works could not progress much due to non-availability of funds on part of Punjab Government for power component and later interstate issues with J & K.
• Series of meetings were held bilaterally between both states as well as at Central Government level.
• Finally, an agreement was reached between both states under aegis of Ministry of Water Resources in September, 2018.

Question:

Q. Union Cabinet has approved implementation of Shahpurkandi Dam Project on which river in Punjab?
a. Beas
b. Ravi
c. Sutluj
d. None of the above