Tulbul Navigation Barrage Project
Why in News?
The Tulbul Navigation Project (also known as the Wullar Barrage) is currently in the news because the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and the Central Government have initiated efforts to revive the project after it remained stalled for nearly 40 years.
Key Information
- Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) Suspension: Following the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, India put the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
- Government Push: In February 2026, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed his government is working with the Centre to restart the project, citing that the treaty's suspension removes the previous diplomatic hurdles.
- New Project Report: Reports indicate that work has begun to prepare a detailed project report (DPR), expected to be completed within a year.
- Location: A navigation lock-cum-control structure proposed at the outlet of Wular Lake (one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes) on the Jhelum River in north Kashmir.
- Primary Objective: To regulate water outflow from Wular Lake to maintain a minimum water depth (draft) of 4.4 to 4.5 feet in the Jhelum River. This ensures year-round navigability between Srinagar and Baramulla, especially during dry winter months (October to February).
- Historical Timeline:
- 1984: Construction began but was suspended in 1987 after strong objections from Pakistan.
- Four Decades of Limbo: At least 13 rounds of secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan occurred over the years without resolution.
- Pakistan's Objection: Pakistan argued the structure was a storage barrage that violated the IWT's restrictions on the "Western Rivers." They feared India could use it to control water flow, potentially causing droughts or floods downstream.
- India's Stand: India maintains the project is for non-consumptive use (navigation), which is explicitly permitted under the IWT.
- Technical Specs: The original design envisioned a 439-foot long and 40-foot-wide barrage with a water storage capacity of approximately 0.30 million acre-feet (MAF).
- Anticipated Benefits:
- Economic: Boosts inland water transport, tourism, and fisheries.
- Power Generation: Regulated water flow would enhance the efficiency of downstream hydroelectric projects like Uri-I and Uri-II.
- Flood Control: Helps stabilize water levels and manage seasonal flooding in the Kashmir Valley.
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