J&K CM Omar Abdullah Opposes Canal Project Diverting Water to Punjab, Cites Drought Concerns

By A Staff Reporter

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has firmly opposed a proposed central project to construct a 113 km-long canal aimed at redirecting surplus water from the western rivers of the Indus system in J&K to neighboring states Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The CM's remarks come amid growing concerns over a drought-like situation in several parts of Jammu.

Speaking during a press interaction in Jammu, Abdullah said, “I will never permit this. Let us use our water for ourselves first... There is a drought-like situation in Jammu. Why should I send water to Punjab?” He further questioned the logic of prioritizing downstream states that, in his view, have historically benefited from water-sharing treaties without reciprocating during J&K’s times of need. “Punjab already had water under the Indus Water Treaty. Did they give us water when we needed it?” he asked pointedly.

The proposed canal, reportedly backed by central authorities, aims to optimize water usage from the **Indus river’s western tributaries—Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus—**all of which largely flow through J&K. However, the Chief Minister’s strong objections underscore a long-standing regional dispute over water rights, with Jammu and Kashmir often arguing that it remains underserved despite being the primary watershed state.