JAMMU, FEBRUARY 10, 2026: During the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that the Jammu and Kashmir government is collaborating with the Central Government to launch significant water supply projects. Addressing the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister highlighted two primary initiatives: the Tulbul Navigation Barrage on the Jhelum River in Sopore and a large-scale project to pump water from the Chenab River at Akhnoor. These moves are designed to secure long-term water sustainability for the region, particularly for Jammu, as the government seeks to capitalize on the current status of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which the Chief Minister noted is presently in abeyance.
The Chief Minister emphasized that traditional water sources and existing infrastructure are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of a growing population over the next several decades. He recalled that a previous attempt to draw water from the Chenab was stalled after the Asian Development Bank declined funding due to IWT restrictions; however, the shifting diplomatic landscape has reopened these possibilities. While the government remains committed to immediate fixes—such as reviving defunct wells and installing new tube wells—Abdullah asserted that the Chenab and Tulbul projects are essential “sustainable solutions” for the next 30 to 50 years. He expressed optimism that work on these major schemes would commence shortly, marking a strategic shift in the Union Territory’s utility planning.
