India has moved to accelerate the development of the Sawalkot Hydropower Project on the Chenab River, with a ₹5,129 crore tender issued for the construction of the large-scale hydropower facility in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district. The project is being taken forward by state-owned NHPC as part of the government’s renewed focus on harnessing hydropower potential on western rivers.
Planned as a 1,856 MW run-of-the-river project, Sawalkot is one of the largest hydropower initiatives proposed in the region. The tender covers detailed design, civil construction works, tunnels, dam structures, and associated infrastructure. The bid submission window is scheduled for mid-March 2026, with a construction timeline extending over multiple years once the contract is awarded.
The project is expected to significantly boost power generation capacity in Jammu and Kashmir and strengthen electricity supply to northern states by providing peaking and balancing power to the national grid. In addition to energy generation, the development is projected to create employment opportunities and support infrastructure growth in the Ramban region.
The Sawalkot project has remained under consideration for several decades but faced prolonged delays due to regulatory, administrative, and treaty-related constraints. With the Indus Waters Treaty currently in abeyance, India has greater operational flexibility to advance hydropower development on rivers such as the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus within its territory.
The government’s renewed push reflects a broader strategy to optimise domestic water resources for clean energy generation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and enhance energy security. Alongside Sawalkot, multiple hydropower schemes in Jammu and Kashmir are being fast-tracked, signalling a sustained focus on expanding renewable energy capacity in the Himalayan region.
Once completed, the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project is expected to play a critical role in meeting long-term electricity demand, supporting regional development, and strengthening India’s renewable energy portfolio.
