Claim
A Chenab-Beas link tunnel project costing ₹2,352 crore has begun in Himachal Pradesh; a 7-km tunnel will divert extra Chenab water to the Beas basin, and hydro projects — the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul, Dulhasti Stage II, the ₹31,380 crore Sawalkot project, and the 850 MW Ratle project — have been approved on the Chenab and Jhelum.
“हिमाचल प्रदेश में 2352 करोड़ की लागत से चिनाब व्यास लिंक टनल... परियोजना शुरू हो गई... 7 कि.मी. लंबी एक सुरंग चिनाब नदी में एक्स्ट्रा पानी को ब्यास बेसिन तक पहुंचा देगी।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
The core factual claims check out: the Centre approved a ~₹2,352 crore Chenab–Beas link tunnel in Himachal Pradesh (NHPC) to divert surplus Chenab water into the Beas basin, and the named hydro projects — 1,000 MW Pakal Dul, Dulhasti Stage II, the ₹31,380 crore Sawalkot (1,856 MW), and the 850 MW Ratle — are all real and approved/cleared on the Chenab. Two minor discrepancies keep it from being flawless: the tunnel is 8.7 km, not 7 km, and the project is approved and at the tender/DPR stage (a May 2026 tender was issued then cancelled) rather than construction having 'begun,' but these do not undermine the substance of the claim.
Evidence
- https://www.gktoday.in/chenab-beas-river-link-project-approved-in-himachal-pradesh/ Confirms the Centre approved the Chenab–Beas Link Tunnel project in Himachal Pradesh at ~₹2,352 crore to divert surplus Chenab-basin (Chandra) water into the Beas system, to be implemented by NHPC. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://sandrp.in/2026/06/02/chenab-beas-link-tunnel-safety-of-the-indian-himalayan-region-at-stake/ States the tunnel is 8.7 km (not 7 km) and that NHPC issued a tender on 20 May 2026 then cancelled it on 23 May 2026 — i.e., the project is approved and at tender/DPR stage, not full construction 'begun'. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/central-panel-grants-in-principle-nod-for-jks-1856-mw-sawalkot-hydropower-project-on-chenab-river Confirms the 1,856 MW Sawalkot project on the Chenab with cost ballooned to ₹31,380 crore, with forest clearance granted 24 June 2026. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://kashmirobserver.net/2025/12/27/centre-approves-dulhasti-hydel-project-on-chenab-river/ Confirms approval of the Dulhasti Stage-II project on the Chenab (Kishtwar). ✓ reachable · archived
- https://propnewstime.com/getdetailsStories/MjQ3MDk=/power-minister-reviews-key-chenab-valley-hydro-projects-sets-commissioning-timelines Confirms 1,000 MW Pakal Dul, Sawalkot, Dulhasti and 850 MW Ratle as active Chenab-valley hydro projects under central review. ✓ reachable · archived