Jammu & Kashmir is advancing new water management initiatives after suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, focusing on river diversion, irrigation expansion and revival of stalled navigation infrastructure.

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• The Jammu & Kashmir government has proposed diverting surplus water from the Ravi river to the Jammu region following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in 2025.
• Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has raised with the Union government the revival of the long-pending Tulbul Navigation Barrage project in Kashmir.
• The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with World Bank facilitation, was placed in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in 2025.
• The Tulbul Navigation Barrage project on Wular Lake was launched in 1984 but halted in 1987 following objections raised under treaty provisions.
• The project aims to regulate water flow, ensure year-round navigation, maintain minimum lake depth and restore ecological balance in the Kashmir valley.
• The government has proposed diverting surplus Ravi waters to irrigate drought-prone Kathua and Samba districts, linked to the near completion of the Shahpur Kandi dam.
• A major pumping project from the Chenab river in Akhnoor has also been proposed to meet Jammu’s long-term irrigation needs and water security requirements.
• Under the treaty framework, eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej—were allocated to India, while western rivers—Indus, Jhelum and Chenab—were primarily allocated to Pakistan.