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Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project
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- Context (PIB): Ratle Hydro Electric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL) signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rajasthan for forty years.
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- The “Run of River” Ratle HE project is on River Chenab in Kishtwar (Jammu & Kashmir).
- With a generation capacity of 850 MW, it also has a gravity dam.
- Pakistan alleged in 2013 that the Project breached the Indus Water Treaty, but the World Bank approved the Project.
Indus Water Treaty (IWT)
- India and Pakistan signed the IWT in September 1960.
- The World Bank is also a signatory to the pact.
- The treaty provides for river water sharing mechanisms and information exchange between the two sides on the use of the water of the Indus River system.
- Western Rivers (Chenab, Jhelum, Indus) are allocated to Pakistan, while Eastern Rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) are allocated to India for unrestricted use.
- India is left with 20% water rights, while Pakistan enjoys 80% water usage rights.
- India can also utilise western rivers for agricultural usage and “run of river” projects.
- A Permanent Indus Commission was also constituted as a dispute resolution body with an annual meeting requirement.
- Unresolved disputes are referred to the World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert.
Chenab River
- The Chenab originates near the Bara Lacha Pass in the Lahul-Spiti part of the Zanskar Range.
- Two small streams on opposite sides of the pass, namely Chandra and Bhaga, join to form Chenab.
Hydroelectric Power
Run of the River Project
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Other HE Projects on the Indus Basin
Kishanganga HE Project
- It is a run-of-the-river project in Bandipora (Jammu and Kashmir).
- It requires diverting water from the Kishanganga River through the tunnel to a power plant.
- Pakistan objected to it, arguing it would impact water flow in the Kishanganga River (Neelum in Pakistan).
- India won in The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration (CoA) in 2013.
Kiru HE Project
- It has a 624 MW installed capacity, proposed on river Chenab (Kishtwar district).
Pakal Dul HE Project
- It is a reservoir-based scheme proposed on river Marusudar (right bank tributary of river Chenab) in Kishtwar (Jammu & Kashmir).
Dulhasti Power Station
- It is run-of-the-river with an installed capacity of 390 MW to harness the hydropower potential of river Chenab (Kishtwar district).
Salal Power Station
- It is a run-of-the-river scheme with an installed capacity of 690 MW to harness the hydropower potential of the Chenab River in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.