Jammu, February 10, 2026 : Emphasising the need for a long-term water security plan for Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the government intends to fully utilise the current abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) to execute major water infrastructure projects in the region.
Responding to concerns raised by several BJP legislators, including Sham Lal Sharma, during Question Hour in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Abdullah said efforts are underway to revive defunct tubewells and other water sources. However, he acknowledged that such measures provide only short-term relief and cannot meet Jammu’s future water requirements.
“Sharma is right in saying that this is like covering a wound with a bandage,” the chief minister said, stressing that water planning must look ahead 30 to 50 years, when traditional water sources may no longer be sufficient.
