June 21: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has expressed serious reservations over the central government’s proposed plan to build a 113-kilometre canal to divert excess water from Jammu and Kashmir’s river system to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Calling the move “unacceptable” in the current context, Abdullah emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir itself is facing growing water challenges and cannot afford to surrender its river resources to other states.
While addressing the media in Jammu, Omar pointed out that several areas across the Union Territory are already dealing with water shortages, and the region cannot justify exporting water when its own people are grappling with limited access. “Our own fields are drying, and people are struggling to get clean drinking water,” he said. “In such a situation, how can we allow our precious water to be channeled away to other regions?”
He further highlighted the long-standing issues faced by J&K in securing its due share from river water projects like Shahpur Kandi and Ujh, which have remained stalled or contested for years. Omar added that Jammu and Kashmir had to fight tooth and nail for every drop of water it now receives and cannot be expected to make sacrifices when its own needs remain unmet.
Abdullah reiterated the need to utilize J&K’s share of water within the region by reviving stalled infrastructure, including the Tulbul Navigation Project in north Kashmir. He also suggested that a portion of Chenab’s water be redirected to serve the people of Jammu more effectively. “We should prioritize using our resources for our own development before sharing them,” he asserted.
This statement has come at a time when the Centre is exploring ways to redistribute water from the western rivers of the Indus system to water-deficient regions of northern India. However, Abdullah’s opposition underscores a critical regional perspective — the right of local populations to access and benefit from the natural resources within their own territory.
As the debate intensifies, Omar Abdullah’s stance signals a strong defense of J&K’s autonomy over its resources and could influence future negotiations on water-sharing and inter-state cooperation.
