Sawalkote Hydroelectric Power Project: A Silent Valley’s Dream Awakens
By: Er Navaid Runyal
Nestled in the heart of the Chenab Valley, the district of Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir has long remained a land of immense potential but limited opportunity. But on 29 July 2025, a glimmer of hope finally broke through the clouds.
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) floated the first official tender for Package 1 of the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Power Project, marking a historic beginning for what is set to become one of India’s largest and most strategic hydropower projects.
With its towering mountains, gushing rivers, and unexplored natural wealth, Ramban could have been the hub of development and prosperity. But while areas like Banihal, Ramban town, Ramsoo, Sangaldan, and Gool benefited from massive infrastructure projects such as the four-lane NH44 and the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Line, other remote corners were left behind.
In stark contrast, three valleys—Pogal, Paristan, Neel, and Rajgarh have remained virtually untouched by the wave of modern development. These areas, rich in culture and tradition, have long suffered due to inadequate infrastructure, poor connectivity, and minimal employment opportunities. Generations have watched as roads, tunnels, and tracks snaked through neighboring regions while their own hopes faded with time.
Project Overview: Powering the Future
The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project is not merely a power plant; it is an engineering marvel in the making, designed to harness the enormous energy potential of the Chenab River. With an installed capacity of 1,856 MW, the project aims to generate clean, renewable energy for millions across northern India.
Package 1, which was tendered in July 2025, involves Planning, Design, and Engineering (PDE)—the foundational phase of the project. Construction of the dam, powerhouse, diversion tunnels, and transmission lines will follow in subsequent phases.
Once operational, Sawalkote is expected to:
- Reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels.
- Boost the regional economy by creating thousands of jobs.
- Strengthen the national grid with clean and stable power.
Strategic Importance: Not Just another Dam
The project’s strategic importance cannot be overstated. Here’s why:
- National Energy Security: As India marches toward its renewable energy goals under international climate commitments, large-scale hydropower projects like Sawalkote are vital.
- Utilizing Chenab’s Potential: The Chenab River, originating from the Himalayas, is one of the fastest-flowing rivers in the region. While much of its energy potential has been untapped, Sawalkote could become a model of riverine energy harnessing.
- Geopolitical Relevance: With frequent tensions around water sharing in the Indus Water Treaty, utilizing the western rivers effectively has long been a matter of strategic importance. Sawalkote, being a run-of-the-river project, strengthens India’s stand.
- Employment and Infrastructure: The project will involve construction of roads, bridges, tunnels, and housing colonies, automatically bringing economic upliftment to neglected zones.
The Forgotten Valleys: Pogal, Paristan, Neel, and Rajgarh
For the people of Pogal, Paristan, Neel, and Rajgarh, the Sawalkote project is more than a dam—it is a lifeline. These regions have long watched from the sidelines as projects like:
- The Banihal-Qazigund railway tunnel,
- The Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel (Chenani-Nashri), and
- The widening of NH44 transformed neighboring towns into hubs of connectivity and commerce.
Yet, these valleys remained unconnected and unrecognized, cut off from the benefits of modern development.
Youngsters from these areas have often had no choice but to migrate to towns and cities in search of jobs. The lack of basic infrastructure like all-weather roads, colleges, and hospitals has stunted both economic and human development.
Sawalkote, if implemented fairly and inclusively, could reverse decades of neglect.
A History of Delays: From Dreams to Frustration
The dream of harnessing the Chenab’s energy at Sawalkote is not new. First conceptualized in the late 1980s, the project has gone through three decades of delays, primarily due to:
- Environmental clearance issues
- Land acquisition hurdles
- Inter-departmental conflicts
- Political instability in the region
Each time hope seemed near, the project would stall. Local people, especially in the valleys where the project would be located, grew disillusioned. Many believed that like other false promises, this too would remain on paper.
But the official tender floated on 29 July 2025 has reignited belief. For the first time, the project has a concrete step forward—with budget, planning, and execution phases clearly charted out.
Environmental and Social Commitments
Hydropower projects must walk a fine line between development and environmental sustainability. NHPC has reportedly committed to:
- Conducting a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Creating biodiversity offset plans
- Resettling displaced families with fair compensation
- Building eco-friendly infrastructure to minimize impact
The Road Ahead: Execution and Vigilance
Now that the project has officially begun its design phase, the coming 12–18 months will be critical. NHPC and the UT administration must ensure:
- Timely completion of planning and surveys
- Transparent bidding for upcoming construction packages
- Inclusion of local workers and engineers
- Coordination with forest and land departments
- Regular public updates and stakeholder meetings
Failure to do so could lead to more delays and once again dash the hopes of thousands.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
For too long, the people of Pogal, Paristan, Neel, and Rajgarh have lived on the margins—forgotten by policymakers and excluded from progress. While other areas of Ramban district were transformed by roads and railways, these valleys remained isolated, almost as if time stood still.
But today, Sawalkote is more than a dam—it is a symbol of long-delayed justice. It carries the hopes of the youth, the dreams of parents, and the prayers of elders who waited their whole lives to see their homeland prosper.
Let this not just be a project. Let it be the turning point for the forgotten People of Ramban. Sawalkote is not just a power project. It is the rebirth of hope. And this time, may that hope turn into reality.
(The author is a geotechnical engineer from Marnal Maligam( Pogal Paristan) Ramban)
