For decades, the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir has symbolized power, progress and development, yet much of its potential remained untapped. Today, the river is already a hub of hydropower, with several projects commissioned and others under construction, including Kiru HEP, Kwar HEP, Rattle HEP and Pakal Dul HEP. With the opening of financial bids for Dulhasti Stage-II on January 13, 2026, the Chenab is poised to deliver even more clean energy, jobs and infrastructure to the region. For the people of Kishtwar and surrounding areas, this milestone brings renewed hope. Yet the Chenab also serves as a cautionary reminder. Recent cloud bursts in Kishtwar triggered sudden floods and landslides, underscoring the fragility of Himalayan rivers and the need for careful, climate-sensitive planning at every stage of development.

Dulhasti Stage-II is the planned extension of the Dulhasti Stage-I Power Station, commissioned by NHPC Ltd. in 2007. Stage-I, a 390 MW run-of-the-river scheme with pondage, has operated successfully for nearly two decades, proving both technical feasibility and reliability. Stage-II, designed for 260 MW with two 130 MW units, was envisioned in the original DPR of Stage-I to harness additional energy from the same river stretch without building a new large dam. This approach ensures minimal surface disruption while maximizing power output from a proven site, making it a strategic, sustainable step forward for hydropower development in the Chenab basin.

The project is located on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, of Jammu and Kashmir. The dam will be near village Dul, 450 metres downstream of the confluence of Amni Nallah with the Chenab. The underground powerhouse is planned on the left bank near Benzwar village. Strategically, Dulhasti Stage-II will integrate with other hydropower........

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