“I will never permit this”: CM Omar Abdullah opposes proposed canal to divert J&K’s water

Ziraat Times News Desk

JAMMU: In a strong statement on Friday, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opposed a proposed plan to divert water from here to neighbouring states, calling for the immediate prioritisation of local needs amid a worsening water crisis.

Speaking in Jammu, the Chief Minister said, “I will never permit this. Let us use our water for ourselves first… There is a drought-like situation in Jammu. Why should I send water to Punjab? Punjab already had water under the Indus Water Treaty. Did they give us water when we needed it?”

The remarks come in response to a reported proposal for constructing a 113-kilometre-long canal intended to channel surplus water from the western rivers of the Indus system — which flow through Jammu & Kashmir — to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

The Chief Minister’s comments reflect mounting concerns over water scarcity in several parts of Jammu, where prolonged dry spells have already strained agriculture and public supply systems. He emphasized the need to safeguard J&K’s rightful share of water resources.