Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project

• Context (PIB): Ratle Hydro Electric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL) signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rajasthan for forty years.

• 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.

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.