Century-Old Ujh Project Finally Gets Push, Work to Begin in Phases
JAMMU/KATHUA, Aug 2: A project conceived nearly a century ago and stuck in limbo for decades has finally received a fresh push, with the Ujh Multipurpose Project in Jammu and Kashmir set to be implemented in phases.
Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed the project with WAPCOS officials and directed them to expedite execution.
Construction will begin even as acquisition of the remaining land continues, instead of waiting for the entire process to be completed.
The project on the Ujh River, a major tributary of the Ravi, is designed to generate 186–212 MW of power and irrigate nearly 90,000 hectares in Kathua and Samba in J&K and Pathankot and Gurdaspur in Punjab. It will also provide drinking water to Kathua and meet industrial water needs.
Dr Singh said the revival of the Ujh project, along with the Shahpurkandi project revived in 2019, marks a renewed effort to utilise India’s share of Ravi waters and end decades of delay.
The project also carries strategic significance, with the government seeking better regulation of water flows and stronger border management along vulnerable stretches of the riverbed.
Officials have been asked to ensure close coordination, regular monitoring and timely execution so that the long-awaited benefits reach the region without further delay.
