Ujh Multipurpose Project (Current Events)
Ujh Multipurpose Project (Current Events)
Why In News:The Union Minister of State reviewed the status of the century old Ujh Multipurpose Projectt in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, reviving a long pending scheme to harness India's share of Eastern river waters under the Indus Waters Treaty framework, which is currently in abeyance.
Source: PIB, 2 August 2026, 'Ujh Multipurpose Project (Jammu and Kashmir)'https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2293422®=48&lang=1
About the Project
Located on the Ujh River, a major tributary of the Ravi River, in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.Designed to generate an estimated 186 to 212 MW of hydroelectric power.
Expected to irrigate nearly 90,000 hectares of agricultural land across Kathua and Samba in J&K, and Pathankot and Gurdaspur in Punjab.Will also supply drinking water to Kathua district and support industrial water needs.The implementing agency is WAPCOS Limited, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The Indus Waters Treaty
Context :The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank, divides the six rivers of the Indus system.Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) were allocated for India's unrestricted use; Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) were allocated mainly to Pakistan, with limited non-consumptive rights for India.India can use up to 20% of Western Rivers' waters for irrigation, power generation and transport under Treaty provisions, apart from full use of Eastern river waters.
The Treaty is currently in abeyance, intensifying India's push to fully utilise its entitled share of Eastern river waters through projects like Ujh and the nearly complete Shahpurkandi project.Ravi River
The Ravi River originates from the Bara Bangal region in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
It flows through areas such as Bara Bansu, Tretha, Chanota, and Ulhansa, traversing approximately 158 km within Himachal Pradesh before entering Punjab.
The river is joined by several important tributaries, including the Budhil, Siul, Baljeri, Chatrari, and Baira rivers.