India Clears New Hydropower Project on Chenab Amidst Indus Waters Treaty Abeyance

• Centre approves 260 MW Dulhasti State-II hydropower project on Chenab river in J&K's Kishtwar district.
• Approval comes as the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains in abeyance following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.
• This is the second major project on Chenab, after the 1,856 MW Sawalkot project, aiming to harness western river potential.
• Dulhasti State-II, costing Rs 3,200 crore, is an extension of the existing 390 MW Dulhasti State-I project.
• India asserts IWT will stay in abeyance until Pakistan takes credible action against cross-border terrorism.

Why It Matters: India accelerates hydropower development on Chenab, leveraging IWT abeyance post-Pahalgam attack.