Salal Hydroelectric Project
Why in news?
The Salal Hydroelectric Project, a 690 MW run-of-the-river facility on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, is seeing accelerated maintenance following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Recent focus is on desilting to restore lost generation capacity from sediment buildup.​
Key Facts about Salal Hydroelectric Project
- Location: Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir, India
- River: Chenab River
- Capacity: 690 MW (Stage I: 345 MW, Stage II: 345 MW)
- Commissioning: Stage I in 1987, Stage II in 1995
- Operator: NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation)
- Dam Type: Gravity dam, 113 m high and 487 m long
- Reservoir: Creates Salal Lake with a total capacity of ~280 million m³
- Spillways: 12 ogee spillways with a discharge capacity of 22,427 m³/s
Challenges & Risks
- Siltation: Continuous sediment inflow from the Chenab has reduced reservoir efficiency, requiring costly removal operations.
- Geopolitical Sensitivity: As part of the Indus basin, Salal has historically been a point of contention between India and Pakistan under the IWT.
- Environmental Impact: Large reservoirs alter river ecology, affecting downstream flow and local biodiversity.
Strategic Importance: Salal is part of India’s broader hydropower push in Jammu & Kashmir, alongside projects like Ratle (1856 MW) and Dulhasti Stage-II.
Download Pdf
