The Central Government has granted environmental clearance to the much-delayed Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir. With an installed capacity of 1,856 MW and an estimated cost of ₹31,380 crore, this run-of-the-river project has been revived after nearly four decades of stagnation. 

Project Details & Location

The Sawalkote project will be constructed in Ramban, Reasi, and Udhampur districts of J&K.

It will be executed in two stages:

Stage I: Six units of 225 MW each + one unit of 56 MW (total ~1,406 MW)

Stage II: Two additional units of 225 MW each (450 MW)

Environmental & Regulatory Aspects

The total land involved is about 1,401.35 hectares, of which 847.17 ha is forest land and 554.18 ha non-forest land.

Forest clearance (Stage I) was granted earlier, and the expert committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has now recommended full environmental clearance, while setting conditions such as monitoring, compensation, ecological safeguards, and post-commissioning environmental impact assessments.

Strategic & Policy Context

The move comes amid India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This has allowed more assertive steps in development of infrastructure on western rivers like the Chenab.

The project is expected not just to add large capacity for clean energy, but also help with grid stability, peaking power, and more control over water flows in line with India’s policy shifts regarding river basin utilisation. 

Potential Impacts & Challenges

There are ecological, social, and regulatory challenges: land acquisition, forest diversion, rehabilitation of affected communities, and ensuring that river ecosystem flows are maintained. The Ministry has required an independent agency to conduct environmental impact assessments five years after commissioning. 

No protected areas are reported to be directly impacted. Public hearings were held in earlier years.