With the 1960 Indus Water Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam attack in 2025 , Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal on Saturday (October 3, 2026) said the Centre was considering new hydropower projects, including Sawalkot, in J&K.
“Discussions are ongoing regarding Sawalkote. We certainly intend to take up work on that project in the near future. Agarwal. “Major hydropower projects including Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar are progressing well (in J&K).
India suspended the IWT after the Pahalgam attack , which left 26 civilians dead, in Kashmir in 2025 and started working on several power projects.
These projects would not only meet the local demand, but would also meet the power demands of other parts of the country,” said Mr. The Centre is also looking at other projects in the future,” said Mr.
The statement assumes significance in the backdrop of Pakistan’s objections raised on the construction of Sawalkote dam project in July last year and February this year with India and had sought consultation.
Praising the Union Territory administration, Mr. “We are making good progress. We are getting the full support of the UT administration. Agarwal. On power deficit in J&K, Mr. J&K has made a good start under PM Suryagar.
On the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Agarwal said around 50 lakh people across the country had joined the programme so far, while J&K had achieved its first milestone of 100 MW.
Agarwal said the projects under the Chenab Valley Power Projects (Private) Limited were receiving full support of the local government. We will also think about other new projects,” said Mr. Agarwal said around 14,500 MW of hydropower potential were identified in the UT and “the ongoing projects would help address the issue”. Terming the rooftop solar programme in J&K “a good start”, Mr. Agarwal said, “We are now reaching the take-off stage. Momentum has built and it will take off,” Agarwal said.
