(Daily Point) — Recent reports from Indian media suggest that the flow of water from the Ravi River to Pakistan has been stopped following the successful construction of the Shahpur Kandi barrage, situated on the border of Indian Punjab and the occupied state of Jammu and Kashmir.

As a result of this development, the previously allocated 1150 cusecs of water intended for Pakistan will now be redirected to benefit the Indian region of Jammu and Kashmir, according to India Today. The diverted water is expected to have a positive impact on approximately 32,000 hectares of land in the Kathua and Samba districts. The Shahpur Kandi barrage project, which has faced challenges over the past three decades, is now nearing completion.

Reports emphasize that, under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, India has exclusive rights to the waters of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, while Pakistan has control over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers.

With the Shahpur Kandi barrage now operational, Indian media asserts that India can fully utilize the water resources of the Ravi River. Consequently, the water previously flowing towards Pakistan from the old Lakhanpur dam will now be utilized in the Indian regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

India has previously undertaken various water storage projects, including the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej, Pong and Pandoh Dam on the Beas, and Thein (Ranjitsagar) on the Ravi. Additionally, initiatives like the Beas-Sutlej link and the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project have enabled India to utilize nearly 95% of its allocated share of waters from the eastern rivers.

Media reports indicate that approximately two million acre-feet of water from the Ravi River has remained unused, flowing into Pakistan below Madhopur. However, with the completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage, India now has the opportunity to harness the water resources from the Ravi River for its benefit.