The government is set to accelerate a major Indus water infrastructure project to address water demands of Northern states, targeting completion before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Following India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, senior Ministers reviewed progress on a 14-km tunnel linking the Indus and Beas rivers. Construction firm L&T is preparing the detailed project report, expected by next year. The project includes a 113-km canal to channel Indus waters to Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab, benefiting irrigation and drinking water supply. The tunnel will connect with the Ujh Multipurpose Project in J&K to divert Ujh River water into the Beas Basin, integrating the Ravi-Beas-Sutlej system with the Indus Basin. 

With an estimated cost of Rs 4,000–5,000 crore and a three to four year construction timeline, the project aims to enhance water security, prevent excess water flow to Pakistan, and mitigate climate change impacts on water resources.