Months after India put the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that no objection of Pakistan will be entertained vis-à-vis the ongoing work on power projects in the Indus and Chenab basins in Jammu and Kashmir.
Khattar visited the Salal Hydroelectric Project and also conducted an aerial survey of the Sawalkot project today.
While talking to reporters, Khattar said, “No objections from Pakistan will be entertained.”
Replying to a query about these projects being fast-tracked after ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the message he would like to convey to Pakistan, Khattar said, “Prime Minister Modi has given a clear message to Pakistan by keeping the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. No objection of Pakistan will be entertained. The waters of Chenab and Indus will be used for the benefit of our own people.”
Asserting strict vigilance, he said that no person with an unlawful background will be engaged in the ongoing hydel power projects in Kishtwar.
Asked whether the government would act against family members of active terrorists working in these projects or those who have bagged contracts, Khattar said, “Employment will be provided only to verified and law-abiding workers. Good people should get work. Those with unlawful backgrounds will not be engaged. Any information regarding workers will be verified through institutions. No adverse inputs have been received so far.”
On demands for probes into certain complaints, the Union Minister said routine issues would be addressed at the local level, while any serious matter would be examined as per procedure.
The Union Minister said, “Today I have come to Jammu and Kashmir for various projects. I visited the Salal Project and also conducted an aerial survey of Sawalkot (hydroelectric project). All our NHPC projects are underway. There were many challenges in this. The work has officially started today. By completing it on time, NHPC will generate 800 megawatts of electricity, which will make a significant contribution to the country’s power generation capacity.”
Referring to the challenges, Khattar said, “While completing the 800 MW Sawalkot project, there were many difficult situations, but the work has now officially started. The project will make a major contribution to the country’s power grid.”
The Union Minister said he reviewed multiple development works during his visit, including canal projects and works at Kowl Fort, and later inspected the final project site in Kishtwar.
He said construction and filling works have commenced, while excavation—described as a risky and technically challenging phase—has also been taken up.