Which of the statements about the dams on the Chenab river is/are correct ? 1. Salal dam, Aalal dam and Baglihar dams are on the Chenab river. 2. Baglihar dam has a greater height than Salal dam. 3. Salal dam is operated by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation and Baglihar dam is operated by NHPC Limited. Select the answer using the code given below :

1. Introduction to the Indus River System (basic)

Welcome to our first step in understanding the energy landscape of Northern India! To grasp how power is generated, we must first understand the lifeblood of the region: the Indus River System. The Indus (or Sindhu) is one of the largest river basins in the world and serves as a primary example of the Himalayan Drainage System. Unlike the rain-fed rivers of South India, the Indus and its tributaries are perennial—meaning they flow year-round because they are fed by both melting glaciers and seasonal rainfall INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Drainage System, p.19. This constant flow is exactly what makes the system so vital for consistent hydroelectric power generation.

Geographically, the Indus originates in the Tibetan plateau near Lake Mansarovar. As it enters India through Ladakh, it carves through the spectacular landscape of the Himalayas. You will find that the river forms deep V-shaped valleys and massive gorges, which are essentially deep canyons carved by the river's erosional force over millions of years. For instance, the Indus makes a gargantuan gorge at Gilgit that is approximately 5,200 meters deep Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.9. These steep gradients and narrow gorges provide the perfect natural settings for constructing high-head dams and power tunnels.

As the river moves northwest, it is joined by several Himalayan tributaries like the Shyok, Nubra, and Gilgit Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.9. However, for our study of energy projects, the most critical part of the system is the Panjnad—the five major rivers of Punjab: the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. These rivers cross international borders, flowing through Tibet, India, and Pakistan, making the management of their waters a matter of international diplomacy and strategic engineering Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.5.

Feature	Himalayan Rivers (Indus System)	Peninsular Rivers (South India)
Water Source	Glaciers and Rainfall (Perennial)	Rainfall only (Seasonal)
Geological Age	Young and still eroding	Old and stable
Power Potential	Very High (due to steep Himalayan gradient)	Moderate (lower height/gradient)

Sources: INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Drainage System, p.19; Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.9; Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.5

2. Anatomy of the Chenab River (Asikni) (intermediate)

The Chenab River, known in the Rigveda as Asikni, is one of the most vital arteries of the Indus system, particularly for India’s energy security. Its journey begins high in the Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh, where two streams—the Chandra (originating from glaciers east of the pass) and the Bhaga (originating from Surya Taal)—meet at the village of Tandi to form the unified river Geography of India, Majid Husain, Chapter 3, p.10. The river then carves a path between the majestic Pir Panjal and the Greater Himalayan ranges. A defining geomorphological feature of the Chenab is its antecedent nature; like the Indus and Satluj, it is older than the mountains themselves, having maintained its course by cutting deep, dramatic gorges as the Himalayas rose Geography of India, Majid Husain, Chapter 3, p.6.

As the river enters the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir, it makes a sharp hairpin bend before flowing across the Pir Panjal at Riasi Geography of India, Majid Husain, Chapter 3, p.10. This steep gradient and high discharge make the Chenab the 'powerhouse' of the region. Under the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), the Chenab is classified as a 'Western River,' meaning its waters are primarily for Pakistan's use, but India is permitted to build run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects for power generation. These projects are often at the heart of geographical and political discussions between the two nations Geography of India, Majid Husain, India–Political Aspects, p.38.

For your exams, it is crucial to distinguish between the major hydroelectric projects on this river. While they share the same waters, their administrative and structural details differ significantly:

Feature	Salal Project	Baglihar Project
Location	Riasi District (J&K)	Ramban District (J&K)
Operating Agency	NHPC Limited (Central Sector)	JKPDC (State Sector)
Dam Height	Approximately 113 meters	Approximately 144.5 meters

Sources: Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India, p.10; Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India, p.6; Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.), India–Political Aspects, p.38

3. Geopolitical Framework: The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) (intermediate)

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed on September 19, 1960, remains one of the most successful yet complex transboundary water sharing agreements in the world. Brokered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (now the World Bank), the treaty was signed in Karachi by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, Developments under Nehru’s Leadership (1947-64), p.650. The primary goal was to settle the dispute over the sharing of the waters of the Indus river system, which is vital for the agrarian economies of both nations. Under the terms of the treaty, the six rivers of the Indus basin were divided into two categories: the Eastern Rivers and the Western Rivers. India was granted exclusive rights to the waters of the three Eastern Rivers. For the Western Rivers, the water was largely allocated to Pakistan, but with a critical caveat: India was allowed limited use of these waters for domestic, non-consumptive, and agricultural purposes, as well as for hydroelectric power generation through 'run-of-the-river' projects Geography of India, Majid Husain, The Drainage System of India, p.39.

Category	Rivers	Primary Allocation
Eastern Rivers	Ravi, Beas, Satluj	India (Exclusive Rights)
Western Rivers	Indus, Jhelum, Chenab	Pakistan (India has limited rights)

While India can only utilize about 20 per cent of the total water carried by the Indus system CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX. NCERT, Drainage, p.18, its right to build power projects on the Western rivers is a recurring point of geopolitical friction. Projects like Salal, Baglihar, and Dulhasti on the Chenab river are examples of India exercising its rights under the treaty. To manage disputes and ensure technical cooperation, the treaty established a Permanent Indus Commission, where commissioners from both countries meet regularly to discuss technical concerns and data sharing Geography of India, Majid Husain, The Drainage System of India, p.39.

Sources: A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Developments under Nehru’s Leadership (1947-64), p.650; Geography of India (9th ed.), The Drainage System of India, p.39; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Drainage, p.18

4. Technical Nuance: Run-of-the-River Hydroelectric Projects (intermediate)

To understand Run-of-the-River (RoR) projects, we must first distinguish how they differ from the massive storage dams we often see in geography textbooks. While a conventional dam (Impoundment) creates a massive reservoir to store water for months, an RoR project is designed to 'harvest' the energy of the river as it flows, without significantly altering its volume or speed. In its purest form, an RoR facility uses a diversion structure—often a small weir rather than a massive wall—to channel a portion of the river through a tunnel or pipe (penstock) to a powerhouse, before returning it safely to the main channel downstream Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Renewable Energy, p.291.
The primary technical nuance lies in storage capacity. Unlike projects like the Tehri Dam or Sardar Sarovar, which are designed for long-term storage to provide water during lean seasons Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, Distribution of World Natural Resources, p.22, RoR projects have little to no 'pondage.' This makes them environmentally 'lighter' because they cause minimal submergence of forests and don't displace large populations. However, it also means their power generation is highly seasonal; they produce peak power during the monsoon and significantly less during the winter when river levels drop. Many major projects on the Chenab River, such as Salal and Baglihar, are technically RoR projects despite their impressive physical heights, because they do not fundamentally store water to change the downstream flow timing.
In India, RoR technology is the backbone of the Small Hydro Power (SHP) sector, typically defined as projects with a capacity of less than 25 MW (though some sources focus on those below 5 MW). These are ideal for the Himalayan region because they can provide independent energy to remote rural areas without the ecological trauma of a large-scale dam Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Renewable Energy, p.292.

Feature	Run-of-the-River (RoR)	Reservoir (Impoundment)
Water Storage	Minimal or none (Pondage only)	Large-scale, multi-seasonal storage
Submergence	Very low impact on local land	High; often floods large valleys
Generation	Dependent on daily river flow	Controlled; can generate on demand
Best Example	Baglihar / Salal (Chenab)	Tehri (Bhagirathi)

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Renewable Energy, p.291-292; Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, Distribution of World Natural Resources, p.22

5. Power Governance: NHPC vs. State Power Corporations (intermediate)

In the landscape of Indian power governance, projects are generally categorized into the Central Sector and the State Sector. This distinction is vital for understanding federalism in energy resources. Central Sector projects are executed by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like NHPC Limited (formerly National Hydroelectric Power Corporation), which operate under the Union Ministry of Power. In contrast, State Sector projects are developed by local bodies like the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKPDC). While both aim to bridge the energy deficit, they differ in funding, revenue sharing, and administrative control.
A classic comparison exists on the Chenab River (historically known as the Asikni). The Salal Project, located in the Riasi district, is a hallmark of the Central Sector. Inaugurated in 1986 with an installed capacity of 750 MW, it is operated by NHPC and supplies power to multiple northern states Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.22. On the same river, the Baglihar Project represents the State’s initiative. Approved in 2007 and financed with assistance involving World Bank oversight, Baglihar was designed to specifically address the power needs of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.10.
Beyond ownership, these projects vary significantly in their engineering scale. For instance, the Baglihar dam stands at a height of 144.5 meters, making it taller than the older Salal dam, which measures approximately 113 meters. While the Chenab hosts several major projects including Dulhasti, the distinction between Central (NHPC) and State (JKPDC) operations remains a key pillar of how power is governed and distributed in the region.

Feature	Salal Project	Baglihar Project
Operating Agency	NHPC Limited (Central)	JKPDC (State)
Dam Height	~113 meters	144.5 meters
River	Chenab	Chenab

Sources: Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.22; Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.10

6. Major Hydroelectric Projects on the Chenab River (exam-level)

The Chenab River, known in the Vedic period as Asikni, serves as the backbone of hydroelectric power in the Jammu region. Due to its steep gradient and high discharge as it cuts through the Himalayas, it hosts three primary 'run-of-the-river' projects that are critical to the Northern Grid: Salal, Baglihar, and Dulhasti Geography of India, Physiography, p.29. While they all share the same river, they differ significantly in their administrative control and physical scale.

The Salal Project, located in the Riasi district, was one of the earliest major interventions on the river, inaugurated in 1986 with a capacity of 750 MW Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.22. It is a Central Sector project, meaning it is owned and operated by NHPC Limited (formerly National Hydroelectric Power Corporation). In contrast, the Baglihar Project in the Doda district is a State Sector project, developed and operated by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.10. Understanding this distinction is vital for UPSC, as it reflects the federal distribution of energy resources.

Physically, these dams are distinct in their engineering. The Baglihar dam is a massive concrete gravity structure standing at a height of 144.5 meters, which is considerably taller than the Salal dam (approximately 113 meters) Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.10. The third major pillar, the Dulhasti Project, is located upstream in the Kishtwar district and, like Salal, falls under the management of the NHPC Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.19.

Project	Operating Agency	Sector	Dam Height
Salal	NHPC	Central	~113 m
Baglihar	JKPDC	State	144.5 m
Dulhasti	NHPC	Central	~65 m

Sources: Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India, p.10; Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Energy Resources, p.19, 22; Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Physiography, p.29

7. Specific Facts: Dam Heights and Operational Control (exam-level)

When studying hydroelectric projects in India, particularly in the sensitive Himalayan region, the Chenab River (historically known as the Asikni) stands out due to its high power potential. Three major projects dominate this landscape: Salal, Baglihar, and Dulhasti. Understanding these requires more than just knowing their names; you must distinguish between who manages them and their physical scale, as these details often form the basis of tricky comparative questions in exams.

A critical distinction lies in operational control. In the federal setup of Indian power generation, projects can be either under the Central Sector (Union Government) or the State Sector. The Salal Project, located in the Reasi district, is a Central Sector project operated by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.22. In contrast, the Baglihar Project in the Doda district was developed and is operated by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKPDC). This state-led initiative was a significant milestone for the region's autonomy in energy production Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.10.

Beyond management, the physical dimensions of these dams are noteworthy. While both are massive engineering feats, they differ significantly in height. The Baglihar Dam is a concrete gravity dam standing at approximately 144.5 meters Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.10. The Salal Dam, while older (commissioned in the 1980s), is shorter, with a height of roughly 113 meters. These heights are often designed based on the specific topography of the gorge and the requirements of the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the flow of the Chenab into Pakistan.

Feature	Salal Project	Baglihar Project
River	Chenab	Chenab
Operator	NHPC (Central Sector)	JKPDC (State Sector)
Approx. Height	113 meters	144.5 meters

Sources: Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.10; Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.19, 22

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the drainage systems and major hydroelectric projects of Northern India, this question serves as a perfect test of your precision. It brings together your knowledge of the Chenab River (Asikni), the specific engineering details of its dams, and the administrative bodies managing them. To solve this, you must synthesize three distinct layers: toponymy (naming), morphology (physical dimensions), and governance (operating agencies).

Walking through the logic, Statement 1 contains a common UPSC distractor: while Salal and Baglihar are indeed on the Chenab, "Aalal" is a fictional name designed to sound plausible, whereas the actual third major project is Dulhasti. Statement 2 requires a deeper grasp of physical geography, as mentioned in Geography of India by Majid Husain; the Baglihar dam stands at roughly 144.5 meters, making it significantly taller than the 113-meter Salal dam. Finally, Statement 3 uses an institutional reversal trap. It flips the operators: Salal is a central project under NHPC Limited, while Baglihar is a state-level project under the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKPDC).

By identifying the "Aalal" fabrication and the agency swap, you can confidently eliminate options A, B, and D. This leaves you with Statement 2 as the only factual claim, leading to the Correct Answer: (C) 2 only. Remember, UPSC often tests your ability to spot these subtle swaps in ownership and naming conventions, so always double-check the administrative details of major Central vs. State projects.