Indus-Beas Tunnel: A $600M Water Security Push

The government is fast-tracking a major Indus water infrastructure project aimed at addressing the water needs of northern states, with a target to complete key components before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

The move follows India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. Senior ministers recently reviewed progress on the project, which includes a 14-km tunnel to connect the Indus and Beas rivers. Construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is currently preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR), expected to be completed by next year.

Key features of the project include:

A 113-km canal to divert Indus waters to Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab, supporting both irrigation and drinking water supply

Integration with the Ujh Multipurpose Project in Jammu & Kashmir, redirecting water from the Ujh River into the Beas Basin

Linking of the Ravi-Beas-Sutlej system with the Indus Basin to optimise regional water distribution

With an estimated cost of ₹4,000–5,000 crore and a construction timeline of 3–4 years, the project aims to:

Boost water security across northern India, Prevent unutilised water from flowing to Pakistan, Mitigate climate change-related water challenges

This strategic infrastructure push highlights the government’s broader focus on national water sovereignty and inter-basin connectivity.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.