The Jammu and Kashmir government is set to resume work on the stalled Wular barrage project, nearly nine months after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack. The long-pending project is aimed at regulating water storage from the Jhelum River. Officials said the move is being coordinated with the Center. The development is expected to revive a project that has remained in limbo for decades.

Work on the construction of the Wular barrage and related embankments was halted in 2012 amid treaty-related constraints. Authorities now say the renewed push reflects a shift in policy after India indicated it no longer considers itself bound by the 1960 agreement in the same way. The project has been pending for nearly four decades. Officials described it as critical for water management in the region. Preparatory steps for restarting construction are underway.

The barrage is intended to improve regulation of the Jhelum’s flow and enhance water storage capacity in the Wular Lake region. Experts say better regulation could help in flood management as well as support local livelihoods. The project has long been viewed as strategically and economically significant. Government sources indicated that technical reviews have been completed. Work is expected to begin shortly.

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The announcement has rekindled hope among local communities dependent on Wular Lake. Imtiyaz Ahmad, a fisherman in the area, said declining water levels have severely affected livelihoods. Large stretches of the lake have reportedly seen reduced discharge from the Jhelum in recent years. Residents believe the barrage could help restore ecological balance. Many are watching closely for tangible progress.

Officials emphasised that the project will proceed in compliance with current national policy and regulatory norms. They also indicated continued coordination between the Union government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration. Further timelines are expected to be announced after on-ground mobilisation begins. The development marks a significant shift in the long-stalled infrastructure effort. Observers say the move could have broader regional implications.

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