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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Ratle Dam
| name_official =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| location_map = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| location_map_size =
| location_map_caption =
| location_map_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|33.1819|75.8052 |format=dms|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| location = [[Drabshalla]], [[Kishtwar district]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| purpose = P
| status = UC
| construction_began = 2022
| opening = 2028 (est.)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goswami |first1=Sweta |title=India to commission 2 power projects on Chenab in 2026, contractors summoned |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/india-to-commission-2-power-projects-on-chenab-next-year-says-power-secy-13014428.html |access-date=6 May 2025 |work=Moneycontrol |date=6 May 2025}}</ref>
| demolished =
| cost =
| owner = [[NHPC Limited]]
| dam_type = Gravity
| dam_crosses = [[Chenab River]]
| dam_length =
| dam_height = {{Convert|133|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_height_foundation =
| dam_height_thalweg =
| dam_elevation_crest =
| dam_width_crest =
| dam_width_base =
| dam_volume =
| spillway_count =
| spillway_type =
| spillway_capacity =
| res_name =
| res_capacity_total = 78,710,000 m3
| res_capacity_active = {{Convert|23,860,000|m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}
| res_capacity_inactive = 54,850,000 m3
| res_catchment =
| res_surface =
| res_max_length =
| res_max_width =
| res_max_depth = 109 m
| res_elevation = 1,029 m msl
| res_tidal_range =
| plant_name = Ratle Hydroelectric Plant
| plant_coordinates = {{coord|33|9|9.21|N|75|45|05.68|E|type:landmark}}
| plant_operator =
| plant_commission =
| plant_decommission =
| plant_type = 4 x 205 [[megawatt|MW]], 1 x 30 MW [[Francis-type]]
| plant_turbines =
| plant_hydraulic_head = {{Convert|100.39|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| plant_capacity = 850 MW
| plant_annual_gen =
| website =
| extra =
}}

'''Ratle Hydroelectric Plant''' project, including a {{Convert|133|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall [[gravity dam]] and two power stations adjacent to one another, is a [[run-of-the-river]] [[hydroelectric]] power station, currently under construction on the [[Chenab River]], downstream of the village near [[Drabshalla]] in [[Kishtwar district]] of the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|Union Territory]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. Water from the dam will be diverted through four intake tunnels about {{Convert|400|m|mi|abbr=on}} southwest to the power stations. The main power station will contain four 205 [[megawatt|MW]] [[Francis turbine]]s and the auxiliary power station will contain one 30 MW Francis turbine. The installed capacity of both power stations will be 850 MW.<ref>
{{cite web |title=Ratle Hydro Electric Project: Project Design Document |url=https://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/Validation/DB/1FMQIKF4DYXM9W7IBH4DIZ3GT8YB1J/view.html |publisher=UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) |date=8 July 2012 |accessdate=23 October 2022}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ratle H.E. Project |url=http://powermin.nic.in/whats_new/PFR/J-K/Ratle.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Power |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410080804/http://powermin.nic.in/whats_new/PFR/J-K/Ratle.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref> Though the pondage of the project is within the limit permitted under the India-Pakistan [[Indus Water Treaty]] (IWT), Pakistan has frequently tried to cause roadblocks for the project with allegation that it violates the Indus Waters Treaty,<ref name=permit1/> India unilaterally suspended the IWT in April 2025 to mitigate any roadblocks from Pakistan.<ref name=htnews1>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/four-hydel-projects-over-chenab-in-j-k-likely-to-be-commissioned-by-2028-101746216478833.html Four hydel projects over Chenab in J&K likely to be commissioned by 2028], Hindustan Times, 3 May 2025.</ref>

==History==

===Project conception===
In June 2010, Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] approved the project and chief minister [[Omar Abdullah]] initiated the tendering process for construction of 690 MW Rattle HEP.<ref>Indian PM sanctions financial package for Kashmir during visit, BBC Morning South Asia, 9 June 2010. {{ProQuest|365946466}}</ref> In October 2012, the Jammu and Kashmir state cabinet approved the enhanced capacity from 690 MW to 850 MW,<ref>Cabinet enhances power generation of Rattle Hydroelectric Project, The Northlines Jammu, 26 October 2012. {{ProQuest|1115111932}}</ref> Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone in June 2013,<ref>{{cite news |title=PM lays foundation stone for GVK's 850 MW Ratle hydel plant in J&K |newspaper=The Hindu Business Line |date=25 June 2013 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/pm-lays-foundation-stone-for-gvks-850-mw-ratle-hydel-plant-in-jk/article4849561.ece }}</ref> and in October 2013 the project was awarded to Hyderabad-based GVK Energy Limited on a build-own-operate-transfer basis for a 35 year period.<ref>Youth Congress leader concern over delay in start of Rattle HE project, Early Times Jammu, 23 October 2013. {{ProQuest|1443795615}}</ref>

===IWT dispute===
{{anchor | IWT}}

In 2017, Pakistan wanted a Court of Arbitration (CoA) to decide the disputed issues. India had instead sought for a Neutral Expert.<ref>Kishenganga to adversely impact Neelum Jhelum project: Asif, The Nation, Lahore, 18 January 2017. {{ProQuest|1859446886}}</ref> Pakistan raised objections citing violations of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) which were being parallelly undergoing arbitration by a Court of Arbitration (CoA) and a World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Controversial Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects: WB to hand over projects' papers to arbiters, neutral experts on 21st |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1010774-controversial-kishenganga-and-ratle-hydropower-projects-wb-to-hand-over-projects-papers-to-arbiters-neutral-experts-on-21st |access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref> The disputes points, mostly technical in nature, were raised on the project.<ref name=rat>{{cite web |title=Award on the competence of the CoA (pages 3 and 28) |url=https://pca-cpa.org/en/cases/284/|access-date=10 July 2023}}</ref>

* Whether India’s proposed design for a maximum Pondage of 23.86 million cubic meters for the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant is based on a method of calculations that contravenes the Treaty, particularly Paragraph 8(c) of Annexure D?

* Whether India’s proposed design for submerged power intakes at the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant contravenes the Treaty, particularly Paragraph 8(f) of Annexure D?

* Whether India’s proposed design for low-level sediment outlets at the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant, in the form of a deep orifice spillway with five large, gated openings far below the Dead Storage Level and deep in the reservoir, contravenes the Treaty, particularly Paragraph 8(d) of Annexure D?

* Whether India’s proposed design for gated spillways for flood control at the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant, with the bottom level of the gates in a normally closed position located approximately 31 meters below the Dead Storage Level and deep in the reservoir, contravenes the Treaty, particularly Paragraph 8(e) of Annexure D?

* Whether India’s proposed design for 2 meters of freeboard at the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant contravenes the Treaty, particularly Paragraph 8(a) of Annexure D?

The CoA also indicated that the objections to the project were submitted by Pakistan after a period of three months not meeting the Annexure D (10) stipulation of IWT.<ref name=rat/> Annexure D (10) says that if no objection is received by India from Pakistan within the specified period of three months, then Pakistan shall be deemed to have no objection to the project.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full text of 'Indus Water Treaty' with Annexures, World Bank |date=1960 |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTs/Volume%20419/volume-419-I-6032-English.pdf |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref>

===Construction===
{{anchor | Construction }}

In November 2018, India decided to commence the construction of the project considering Pakistan's objection invalid under [[Indus Waters Treaty]] obligations,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pak 'diplomatic sabotage' busted: India to go ahead with Ratle hydroelectric project, govt to send team to J&K |newspaper=Times Now |date=7 November 2018 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/pakistan-india-ratle-hydroelectric-project-indus-water-treaty-agreement-chenab-shahpur-kandi-dam-project-ujh-multipurpose-project-jammu-and-kashmir/310636 |access-date=9 November 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225224015/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/pakistan-india-ratle-hydroelectric-project-indus-water-treaty-agreement-chenab-shahpur-kandi-dam-project-ujh-multipurpose-project-jammu-and-kashmir/310636 |url-status=dead }}</ref> after the World Bank has informed India and Pakistan in August 2017 that construction by India meets the IWT conditions.<ref>
{{Cite web |author=PTI |title=Kishanganga project: India permitted to construct Kishanganga, Ratle projects: World Bank |newspaper=The Times of India |date=2 August 2017 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-permitted-to-construct-kishanganga-ratle-projects-world-bank/articleshow/59874464.cms}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ratle power project: Govt proposes joint venture with Union power ministry |newspaper=Greater Kashmir |date=1 November 2018 |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/ratle-power-project-govt-proposes-joint-venture-with-union-power-ministry/301605.html }}</ref> Push for this was provided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the water crisis for Punjab in India can be solved.<ref name=permit1>{{cite news |title=WB pause gives India free rein to complete Ratle project |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/421530-wb-pause-gives-india-free-rein-to-complete-ratle-project |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108005611/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/421530-wb-pause-gives-india-free-rein-to-complete-ratle-project |archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Abbasi |first=Ansar |title=Pakistan may go to world court if India pursues Ratle Dam project |newspaper=The News International |date=20 July 2013 |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-24243-Pakistan-may-go-to-world-court-if-India-pursues-Ratle-Dam-project |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720071703/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-24243-Pakistan-may-go-to-world-court-if-India-pursues-Ratle-Dam-project |archive-date=20 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}
</ref> After a February 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between [[NHPC Limited]], Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Department (JKPDD) and J&K State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC),<ref>
{{cite news |title=NHPC, JKPDD & JKSPDC enter into MoU for Ratle Hydroelectric Project |url=https://kashmirpulse.com/news-in-pictures/nhpc-jkpdd-jkspdc-enter-into-mou-for-ratle-hydroelectric-project/31532.html |website=The Kashmir Pulse |date=3 February 2019}}</ref> the construction works by India started in December 2019, triggering new protest by Pakistan to World Bank against the dam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Violating IWT India starts Ratle Dam's construction |last=Zaafir |first=Muhammad Saleh |date=15 December 2019 |newspaper=The News International |access-date=30 December 2019 |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/583790-violating-iwt-india-starts-ratle-dam-s-construction }}</ref> In January 2022, after various delays the construction of the project finally commenced by the EPC contractor "Megha Engineering Ltd".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ratle Hydroelectric Power Plant, Jammu and Kashmir, India |url=https://www.power-technology.com/projects/ratle-hydroelectric-power-plant-jammu-and-kashmir/ |publisher=Power Technology|date=13 February 2023 |accessdate=17 April 2023}}</ref>

==Details==

The 850MW facility is expected to generate up to 3,136 million units of electricity in a year. The Public Investment Board (PIB) of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, recommended an investment approval of $690m (Rs52.82bn) for the project in September 2020.

==Current status==

* May 2025: Ratle project was 21% complete, IWT was suspended by India, expected completion date was revised to 2028.<ref name=htnews1/>

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|India|Water|Renewable energy}}}}
{{GeoGroup}}

* [[Chenab_River#Dams|Chenab river basin dams and hydroelectric projects]]

{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Hydrography of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Power Plants of Jammu and Kashmir}}

[[Category:Dams in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Dams under construction]]
[[Category:Dams on the Chenab River]]
[[Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Gravity dams]]
[[Category:Run-of-the-river power stations]]

Ratle Hydroelectric Plant - Revision history

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