The Chenab (Asikni)

It flows in India for about 1180 km draining 26,755 sq km of area in India. The river Chenab is known as Chandra-Bhaga in Himachal Pradesh. The Chandra and Bhaga, the two main upper tributaries of the river, originate on either side of the Bara-Lacha Pass (4843 metres) in the Lahul District of Himachal Pradesh. Of these streams, Chandra originates from the glacier, while the Bhaga is precipitous downward, they make a confluence at Tandi. After uniting, the Chenab flows between the Pir-Panjal and the Greater Himalayas. Near Kishtwar, it makes a hair pin bend and flows across the Pir-Panjal at Riasi to enter into Pakistan. The important hydel projects installed across the Chenab are Salal, Baghliar and Dulhasti. The construction of the Baghliar Project in Dodtt District, financed by the World Bank, has been approved in Feb. 2007. The total dam height of the Baghliar Project will be 144.5 m. This project will cost Rs. 4500 crore and will produce 450 MW of power. The much delayed project (delayed by 15 years) promises to bring enough power to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.