Water and energy security in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is navigating complex water and energy security challenges. The regional government has established a long-term roadmap to increase operational hydropower capacity to 10,969.65 MW by December 2035, a goal intended to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on external power. This expansion relies on significant projects in the Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi basins, with several large-scale hydroelectric developments scheduled for commissioning between 2027 and 2029.

Simultaneously, the region is experiencing a deepening water crisis characterized by scarcity in traditional sources such as springs, canals, lakes, and glaciers. In Srinagar, water supplies have become unpredictable, affecting daily routines. While the region has historically been considered water-abundant, recent precipitation deficits and declining spring flows, such as the drying of the Achabal Mughal Garden spring, indicate shifting hydrological systems. Experts have highlighted the necessity of treating groundwater as strategic natural infrastructure to mitigate the increasing unpredictability of surface water.