India Revives Tulbul Project Amid Treaty Suspension

In a sharp escalation of its strategic response following the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — a key agreement that governs the sharing of rivers originating in India and flowing into Pakistan. This bold move is now being followed by another powerful message: India is preparing to revive the long-stalled Tulbul Navigation Project in Jammu & Kashmir, signaling a significant shift in how New Delhi uses its hydrological leverage in bilateral relations with Pakistan.

While Pakistan has warned that the blocking of river waters would be considered an act of war, India appears undeterred, aiming to reassert control over its natural resources and use them strategically and diplomatically.

Tulbul Navigation Project: A Game-Changer in Jhelum River Control

At the heart of this strategic manoeuvre lies the Tulbul Navigation Project (TNP) — a long-pending infrastructure plan on the Jhelum River, near Sopore in Kashmir. Originally conceived in 1984, the project involves constructing a navigation lock-cum-control structure at the mouth of Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater bodies.

The purpose of the Tulbul Project is to regulate outflows from Wular Lake, thereby ensuring year-round navigability of the Jhelum River — especially during lean flow periods. This would store around 300,000 acre-feet of water, enabling consistent draught levels (around 4.5 feet) to support barge traffic between Baramulla and Srinagar.

Strategic, Economic, and Environmental Impacts

Reviving the Tulbul Navigation Project could significantly impact the region on multiple fronts:

• Strategic Leverage: With the Indus Waters Treaty currently suspended, this project gives India a new hydrological tool to pressure Pakistan diplomatically.

• Inland Water Transport: The Jhelum River could become a functional transportation corridor, boosting connectivity and reducing dependence on road transport in Kashmir.

• Irrigation and Hydropower Optimization: Controlled water release will help enhance irrigation efficiency in the Kashmir Valley and optimize downstream hydropower generation, making better use of available water resources.

“This is not just about development, but about asserting our rights over water resources that have long been underutilized due to international constraints,” said an official involved in the project planning.

Next Steps: Detailed Project Report in Progress

According to PTI sources, the Indian government has already initiated work on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Tulbul. The report is expected to take about a year to complete, but its revival signals a major policy shift toward using water as a strategic asset in national security and diplomacy.

Pakistan’s Reaction and India’s Steady Resolve

While Pakistan has issued stern warnings, calling the suspension of the IWT and any potential water blockages an “act of war”, India is pressing ahead. Experts believe that in the current geopolitical climate, India is no longer willing to let its water resources be dictated solely by treaty obligations, especially when national security is at stake.

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