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| Indus Water Treaty In Abeyance | | | Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has once again reiterated that the government intends to fully utilise the current abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) to implement major water infrastructure projects for the region. He has emphasised on the need for a long-term water security plan for Jammu.
The Chief Minister has been a strong critic of the IWT and since the day the treaty has been suspended, CM Omar has been maintaining that the step would go a long way in making Jammu secure vis-à-vis water resources.
By emphasising the urgent need for a comprehensive, long-term water strategy for Jammu, the Chief Minister has brought to the fore an issue that directly affects livelihoods, public health, agriculture and future development in the region.
While addressing the Legislative Assembly, CM Omar stated that efforts are on to revive defunct tubewells and other water sources but was quick to add that such steps are only short-term remedies and cannot meet Jammu’s future water requirements.
For decades, water availability in Jammu has remained a paradox. Despite being part of a region through which major rivers flow, the area has frequently faced seasonal shortages, erratic supply and declining groundwater levels. Rapid urbanisation, population growth and climate-induced changes in rainfall patterns have only compounded the problem.
The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan was put in abeyance by PM Modi led government in May last year soon after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead. Since then, it has remained suspended.
When the IWT was in vogue, CM Omar never missed a chance to oppose the treaty as he always said that J&K has suffered tremendous loss due to this bilateral agreement.
CM Omar, a long-time critic of the IWT, has consistently argued that the treaty imposed disproportionate constraints on the region, limiting its ability to build storage, irrigation and hydropower infrastructure on rivers that originate and flow through its territory.
The Chief Minister’s stance resonates with a widely held sentiment in J&K that the state has borne significant economic and developmental costs due to the treaty. Its implementation has often been perceived locally as one that curtailed J&K’s rightful use of its own resources. The current pause, therefore, is seen by the government as an opportunity to correct historical imbalances and prioritise regional needs. It seems that the Chief Minister is determined to ensure that J&K people get the best deal. |
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