The Tulbul Navigation Project, initiated in 1984, is situated at the mouth of Wular Lake on the Jhelum River in Sopore, North Kashmir in Jammu & Kashmir. The project’s primary objective was to construct a 439-foot-long and 40-foot-wide barrage with a storage capacity of 0.30 million acre-feet (MAF) of water. This infrastructure aimed to regulate the water levels of Wular Lake, ensuring a minimum draft of 4.4 feet in the Jhelum River up to Baramulla during the winter months. Such regulation would facilitate year-round navigation over a 20-kilometer stretch between Baramulla and Sopore, enhancing regional connectivity and economic activities.
The project was conceived before militancy began in Kashmir, and work on it commenced in the 1980s. Pakistan had objected to it, claiming it contravened the IWT. The Indian side, however, pointed out that the structure was not a storage facility but a navigation aid. After militancy erupted in Kashmir in the 1990s, work on the project was halted.
Tulbul Navigation Project Historical Context and Suspension
Despite its strategic importance, the project faced significant opposition from Pakistan, which viewed the construction as a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960. The IWT allocated the waters of the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan, restricting India’s rights to non-consumptive uses. Pakistan contended that the Tulbul Project’s storage capacity contravened the treaty’s provisions. Consequently, India suspended the project in 1987, leaving it incomplete and in a state of limbo for decades.
The project remained on hold, and in the late 2000s, the J&K government initiated the Wular Conservation Project, modelled on the Tulbul Navigation Project. In 2012, militants targeted the conservation project, forcing another halt. Several meetings between India and Pakistan over the years remained inconclusive. reported by Tribune India.
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Recent Political Developments
In May 2025, the Tulbul Navigation Project resurfaced in political discourse following the suspension of the IWT by India, a decision influenced by escalating tensions and security concerns. Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, advocated for the revival of the project, emphasizing its potential socio-economic benefits and strategic significance. Abdullah’s stance was met with criticism from former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who accused him of “weaponizing water” and warned against internationalizing a bilateral issue.
The political exchange underscores the project’s contentious nature and its implications for regional diplomacy and internal politics. Abdullah’s proponents argue that the project’s completion could bolster local economies, improve water management, and enhance navigation, while opponents caution against actions that might exacerbate Indo-Pakistani tensions.
Strategic and Economic Significance
Beyond navigation, the Tulbul Project holds considerable strategic and economic value:
- Hydroelectric Power Generation: Regulated water flow from Wular Lake would support downstream hydroelectric projects, including Uri I and II in India and Mangla Dam in Pakistan, ensuring consistent power generation.
- Agricultural Irrigation: Controlled water release could improve irrigation systems, benefiting agriculture in the region.
- Flood Control: The barrage could aid in managing flood risks by regulating water discharge during peak monsoon periods.
- Economic Development: Enhanced navigation and water management would stimulate trade and commerce, contributing to the region’s economic growth.
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Legal and Diplomatic Considerations
The revival of the Tulbul Project necessitates careful navigation of legal and diplomatic frameworks:
- Indus Waters Treaty Compliance: While the IWT permits non-consumptive uses, any construction must adhere to treaty stipulations. India’s suspension of the treaty introduces a complex dynamic, potentially altering the legal landscape.
- International Mediation: Past disputes under the IWT have involved neutral experts or arbitration. Future disagreements over the Tulbul Project might require similar interventions to resolve conflicts amicably.
The Tulbul Navigation Project embodies the intricate interplay between regional development aspirations and international treaty obligations. Its potential to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s economic landscape is significant, yet it remains entangled in geopolitical sensitivities. As political leaders debate its future, a balanced approach that considers both developmental goals and diplomatic relations is imperative.
