Chenab-Beas Link Project: The central government has launched a plan to divert excess water from the Chenab River to the Beas River Basin through a major tunnel project in Himachal Pradesh. Known as the Chenab Beas Link Tunnel Project, the project aims to improve India’s water use and strengthen water availability in several northern states. Under the plan, an 8.7 km long tunnel will be built in Lahaul and Spiti district to divert the excess water of Chenab towards Beas river. The Center has set a deadline of July 31, 2029 to complete the project. In the meantime, let us know how much this project will cost and how much it will increase India’s water supply.

project cost

According to reports, the cost of the Chenab Beas Link Tunnel project is approximately ₹2,352 crore. If silt management work on Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir along with related infrastructure projects are included, the cost of the entire project may increase to around ₹2600 crore.

When will the construction work start?

According to the report, the construction work of the project is expected to start from August 1, 2026. The responsibility of implementing the project has been given to NHPC Limited. It will oversee the tunnel construction and related infrastructure.

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How will the water be diverted?

As part of the project, a 19 meter high barrage will be built on the Chandra river, a tributary of Chenab, near Koksar village in Himachal Pradesh. From there the excess water will be sent to the Beas basin through an underground tunnel.

It is being said that the project can significantly improve the availability of water in states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. The additional water will help irrigation systems and is expected to improve drinking water supply. Along with this, this project is also expected to boost hydropower production. According to the report, the diverted water can help generate about 4000 MW of additional power for Himachal Pradesh and the northern grid.

This project holds great strategic importance as India had reportedly postponed the Indus Water Treaty after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. It is being said that now after this project, the flow of water towards Pakistan may reduce and India’s long-term water strategy may become stronger.

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In Himachal Pradesh, the havoc of nature is not taking the name of stopping. Due to heavy rains at many places here, shops were washed away due to landslides and sudden floods, buildings collapsed, highways lost contact and residential areas were submerged.

On Tuesday (August 26), the fast streams of Beas river in Manali in Kullu district in the early hours of Beas river shed a multi -storey hotel and four shops. According to him, due to the rise of the river, water entered the potato ground of Manali and the Manali-Leh highway was blocked in many places. In Kullu, the water of Ghanvi Khad (drain) entered the houses.

VIDEO | Manali, Himachal Pradesh: a pick-up van was swept as ragging river triggered a landslide damaging the road.

(Full video available on pti videos – https://t.co/n147tvrpg7, pic.twitter.com/ia93w7jquh

– Press Trust of India (@Pti_News) August 26, 2025

Meteorological Department released red alert

The local Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a ‘red’ alert warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at different places in Kangra, Chamba and Lahaul and Spiti districts. A ‘Orange’ alert has also been issued for heavy rains in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi and Kullu districts and Shimla city.

2 buildings with 40 shops are lost

Two buildings with about 40 shops collapsed in Balichowki area of ​​Mandi district late on Monday night. After the building became dangerous, it was already evacuated, so there were no casualties. A sudden flood in Kanvi in ​​Kinnaur district caused havoc.

Various district administrations have ordered the closure of all educational institutions. The order to this effect was issued by Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan and Banjar, Kullu district administration on Monday evening. The Shimla district administration ordered the closure of all government and private educational institutions on Tuesday morning.

Heavy rain estimated in 24 hours

Shimla district has been receiving heavy rains since Monday morning. Landslides occurred due to torrential rains and trees were uprooted, which blocked the roads. The Meteorological Department has predicted more heavy rains during the next 24 hours. Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said in an official order that the educational institutions of the district will remain closed on Tuesday, keeping in mind the safety of the students.

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) said that till Monday night a total of 795 roads were closed and about 956 power supply transformers and 517 water supply schemes were interrupted. He told that out of 795 roads closed, 289 are in Mandi district, 214 in Chamba and 132 in Kullu. The National Highway (NH) -3 (Mandi-Dharmpur Road) and NH-305 (AOT-SANJ) are also closed.

156 people died so far

According to SEOC, at least 156 people have died in rain -related incidents in Himachal Pradesh between June 20 and August 25, while 38 are missing. According to SEOC data, there have been incidents of sudden floods, 41 times cloudburst and 81 major landslides in the state so far. According to this, the state has suffered a loss of Rs 2,394 crore in rain -related incidents.

How many rain has been done so far?

Himachal Pradesh received 703.7 mm of rain from June 1 to August 25, while the average rainfall is 577.9 mm, which is 22 percent more than normal. The state has received 44 percent more rainfall than normal so far in August.